Hog move ‘will not hurt Chepstow trade’

6:50am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Melissa Jones

Hoggin the Bridge has brought crowds into Chepstow in recent years – both bikers and people wanting to see the bikes. Hoggin the Bridge has brought crowds into Chepstow in recent years – both bikers and people wanting to see the bikes.

CHEPSTOW will not lose out when Hoggin the Bridge’s end point moves to the racecourse, according to the event’s spokesman.

John Young has moved to calm fears traders have about the huge fundraising motorbike ride finishing at the sporting venue, instead of the town centre.

Normally thousands of bikes pack into Chepstow for entertainment on a stage by the Cenotaph and to browse stalls.

The October 20 event, which raised £15,000 for charities in 2012, has been a major coup for the town over 12 years and traders have always been glad to support it.

The move to the racecourse stems from an incident involving a motorbike and a pedestrian last year according to Mr Young, when car park space also ran out because the event has become so popular.

Mr Young said the committee of 12, whose members met Chepstow Marketing, ChepstowTown Council and the Round Table on Monday before having their own meeting last night, are going to give the town’s businesses a chance to set up stalls at the new venue.

He said: “Themove is purely due to safety reasons. So many bikes turn up that we just can’t cope. The racecourse gives us more space.

I’m a Chepstow resident and I consider it part of the town.

“The move isn’t going to impact on traders.”

Melanie Phillips, president of Chepstow Chamber of Commerce, said while she is happy the event is remaining in Chepstow, she feels it would be better to stay in its streets.

“I just think it’s a great loss to the town centre. We appreciate what Hoggin The Bridge has done over the years and we wish them every success but we hoped it could have remained in the town bringing the tourists in shopping and enjoying themselves. There is definitely a sad feeling in the town about this.”

● What do you think about the move? Contact our reporter Melissa Jones on 01633 777235.

Comments(4)

Cornwall1 says...
8:39am Thu 21 Mar 13

How on earth do they expect traders such as the Shangri la, Herbert Lewis, The Original Factory shop etc to "set up stalls" It's okay if you are a small business that can trade this way or a fast food trader - this is not good for Chepstow and will probably lack the atmosphere that has been enjoyed over many years. I have spoken to many people who have stated that they would not be attending this year, would it not be better to just put a cap on the number of bikes allowed to take part.

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Limestonecowboy says...
6:12pm Thu 21 Mar 13

It does seem a shame to take the event from the town which will lose business plus the fact the event has always been in a convenient location surely its worth it for a days disruption.

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ann.frm says...
10:15pm Thu 21 Mar 13

I for one will be sorry that my hard earned money will be going to the Racecourse venue and not the charities I want it to . Hence I will probably withdrawn and give my money directly to the charities instead . x

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Chris (The Music Man) says...
9:26pm Fri 22 Mar 13

I've been Reading all the comments on Facebook, The Free Press and various different websites about the change from the Town Center to The Race course and I think people are forgetting what The Hoggin The Bridge Ride is All about.. The Charities that have been helped year on year are still being helped this year!. The Racecourse move has been a forced move for the Committee of VOLUNTEERS. The "abuse" that they have received is unbelievable! Yes businesses will be effected if they can't take their business to the racecourse in Market stall form. But if you were to ask the majority of businesses in Chepstow what they have given to the charities from their takings on the Hoggin the Bridge Day, The majority of them have not given a single Penny towards the cause! (With a Couple of Exception) Hoggin the Bridge has become an amazing event over the years and this year will be no different! The New Venue offers more space for bikes, Spaces for visitors in cars (Which Chepstow Could Not Offer due to the number of Bikes) and This year more attractions and Stalls for the public to browse and Free Live Music as usual! If the event wasn't moved to The Racecourse then the Event would have to be cancelled Completely! If you don't support this event you'll see that the event will no longer be held! Yet another event that falls because of Health and Safety issues and lack of support.. Please don't let Hoggin The Bridge fall like many other amazing charity events we now miss. Support the bikes and all the Charities that's what this event is all about!

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