‘There’s only one Goose Fair’: Traders confident tram strike won’t affect fair attendance

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Nottingham's Goose Fair.

By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

Traders at Nottingham’s Goose Fair say they don’t expect the massive event to be hit by low visitor numbers despite an upcoming 10 days of cancelled trams and reduced service due to strikes.

The GMB Union confirmed yesterday (September 26) that more than 200 Nottingham Express Transit (NET) staff will walk out for 10 days.

The strike started at a minute past midnight this morning (September 27), on the opening date for the 700-year-old annual Nottingham Goose Fair.  It will end at 23:59 next Sunday (September 6).

Concerns about access have grown since the strike was announced, especially as The Forest tram stops typically act as one of the main public entrance spots.

Tram bosses also say the strike puts the survival of the network “at risk” because lost revenue will push it back into debt after a financial restructure stabilised the business last year.

Despite the union action, some fair traders setting up on Friday said they weren’t too worried about the impact on numbers of visitors.

NET staff waiting at a tram stop.

Michaela, owner of a Hook-a-Duck stand, said: “I think other people will make their way into the town, then make their way in to see us.

“They’ll get the buses and they’ll get people to drop them off- there’s only one Goose Fair.”

An owner of a Toffee Apple stall said: “I think [the strike] is something that is threatened every year and whether they strike or not people still find us.

“Goose Fair has been going for years, people will always go to Goose Fair regardless of the transport.”

Trader Joanne, of the Big Burger stand, says as long as the public are aware of the strikes then they will make alternative arrangements to get there.

She said: “It seems very unfair to the showmen themselves because the effort that they all put in, but the tram people, they’re going to get heard, everybody’s going to be talking about the tram strike.”

Joey Noyce runs the Noyce & Sons Victorian carousel on the site – a fair ride his grandfather James Noyce bought in 1947.

The carousel has been at the iconic fair since the early 1970s.

Mr Noyce believes the strikes could be damning for the fair, saying: “Most of the public use the tram system to get to the Goose Fair- it’s so easy, the tram system is managed fantastically.

“If that’s not happening, it’ll have a catastrophic effect.”

Joey Noyce.

Colin Whyatt, GMB Organiser, said: “Strike action is always a last resort, and it’s no wonder so many Nottingham residents are aghast that tram bosses have let this happen.

“Tram staff do vital work keeping families, businesses and communities moving. It’s only right that their pay lets them keep up with the bills and take care of their families.

“Unfortunately tram bosses appear not to agree and workers are being forced to take matters into their own hands”.

Strikers include drivers, ticketing and security staff and maintenance teams.

Sarah Turner, service delivery and safety director at tram operator NET, said the company was “bitterly disappointed” GMB had gone ahead with the action.

She said: “From the outset, GMB has pointedly made the decision to target Goose Fair, deliberately disrupting a much-loved family event that brings so much enjoyment to the people of Nottingham and surrounding areas.

“However, beyond that, the upcoming strike action will have wider implications for the city too.

“Not only will it mean that many people may not be able to travel into the city, but Nottingham’s tram network marks a vital part of the city’s infrastructure, and the strike action puts its survival at risk.”

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