A proposal to keep the main street open between Brisbane and Bourke streets was discussed at Tamworth Regional Council’s traffic committee meeting last week.

The idea, which must be ratified by the full council, would see Brisbane St remain open for much of the event, to allow festivalgoers easier passage east-to-west by car.

But business operators in the affected area are furious that Peel St’s “Boulevard of Dreams”, where up to 600 buskers congregate each year, appears likely to be shortened.

Brett Hutchins, who opened the fish-and-chip shop Catchys with his wife Michelle in June, said his fellow business owners were shocked the plan could even be considered.

He said the businesses that opened during country music festival were heavily reliant on the extra trade created by closing off the street and allowing buskers to perform.

“They’re all up in arms about it and most of them said it was going to be a 30 per cent to 40 per cent loss of income, which is huge,” Mr Hutchins said.

“It will be a massive impact because people basically won’t be walking past.

“The footpaths will be open ... but if any buskers actually go down there, how will people get past?”

Mr Hutchins said his and other businesses, including the Hog’s Breath Cafe, had already organised their entertainment for the festival in the belief the street would be closed.

He said if council approved the plan, it would merely give out-of-town food vendors that set up in Kable Ave an unfair advantage at the expense of local eateries.

“We set this business up in the main street, with its higher rents, knowing that there was a festival each year ... that would be a big part of our business plan,” he said.

“The council hasn’t notified anyone, either.

“They haven’t put a proposal to any of the businesses to hear our suggestions. That’s the biggest issue.”

Neither the council’s director of business and events, John Sommerlad, nor councillor Phil Betts of the traffic committee, could be reached for comment yesterday.