BUSINESSES have hit back at claims they are not contributing to Weymouth Carnival.

Firms responded after organisers said they were having a difficult job generating sponsorship due to apathy from town traders.

Committee chairman Shaun Hennessy’s comments were mainly directed at seafront hoteliers and catering businesses which are probably the biggest winners during carnival week but are apparently not giving anything back in return.

Owner of seafront nightclubs Dusk and Aura Brett Dunster claimed he had not even been approached.

Mr Dunster said: “He says apathy from seafront traders could kill the event and that despite being the biggest winners we are not willing to put our hands in our pockets.

“We at Dusk would be happy to put our money in but we’ve not been asked. I think he’s a bit silly to brand everyone on the seafront under one umbrella when he’s not asked everybody.”

Mr Dunster said Dusk has previously supported the carnival by providing a hospitality suite when the event was organised by the Weymouth Community Volunteers two years ago. He added: “Carnival day is our busiest day and we are definitely a winner. I just think Shaun has been a little bit premature.”

Ali Record, who runs the Lazy Lizard and The Nook bars, also on the seafront, said she would also be prepared to support the carnival financially.

Mrs Record said she had already given £250 after being approached and invited to contribute but would be willing to give more if she was asked.

Mr Hennessy maintained that businesses which had not been sent a letter had been approached in person.

But he added: “We are very pleased with the response from the Echo article. It’s heart-warming to know there are so many businesses in town which are willing to help the carnival.”

Local property owner Chris Steadman contacted the Echo after reading yesterday’s front page story and said he would willing to support the carnival by offering two weeks’ accommodation in a studio apartment in Cyprus as a raffle prize.

Meanwhile, director of the not-for-profit financial support organisation HS4B Ian Lambert said he would be reluctant to support carnival again unless he is given reassurances over health and safety issues.

Mr Lambert ran a tombola from a seafront stall near Mark Anderson’s sandman attraction at last year’s carnival and feared that someone would be crushed in the crowd because of so many people manoeuvring through such a small space.

Mr Hennessy said: “We are working with the police and the council to ensure such a thing doesn’t happen again.”