Readers have been responding to criticism directed at the Hawker Festival which happened in Carlisle from June 10 to 13.

Publicans have reacted with anger, with Dianne Irving saying the festival undercut pubs, and the festival was designed to be local but didn’t have as many local traders as was implied.

She added that the pop-up beer gardens had taken trade away from the bricks-and-mortar businesses in Carlisle.

Here’s what you had to say:

Laura Storey said: “What a load of rubbish. These markets are a breath of fresh air in a very tired city centre.

“It’s nice to see different people and have a choice of things to buy.”

Jen Watt echoed Laura’s sentiment: “Ridiculous, saying the city didn’t benefit.

“I came into the city for this market and not only spent money at the stalls I also spent money in the shops and sat and had a drink at one of the green market cafe/bars as did most other people.”

Rachel Simpson though the problem was only temporary: “When the markets move on our bars and restaurants are still here and the local people will continue to support them.

“It brings something different to Carlisle for a couple days a couple times a year and it is wonderful to see people also showing support for them.”

Nicola Scullion said the problem went both ways: “Self-employed small business owners that travel with their own stalls to events all over the country have also had a horrible 18 months with no income or events to go to, and a lot got no Government help or financial support either.”