The fun of the fair returned to the city this month and Hereford shopkeeprs have spoken out on their experiences on how the return of the May Fair affected their business.

The streets were packed as crowds flocked back to the city after three years away.

However, for some shopkeepers in the city centre, it wasn't all good news.

Rob Black, who runs clothes shop M Black and Sons in Widemarsh Street, said: "It's the same old story for us when the fair comes to town.

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"We consistently have one of our worst weeks for custom while the fair is here.

"Footfall isn't the issue; it's always packed, and this year was probably busier than ever, but people are always in 'holiday mode' and not looking to buy clothes."

"The Saturday following was a busy one, thankfully, I think shoppers just tend to wait until it's passed before heading back out."

This year was the first experience of the fair for Jason Totney of Cherries and Berries in High Town, and he echoes the sentiment that regulars are disuaded from venturing out but he saw a silver lining.

Mr Totney said: "For previous fairs we have been based on a market stall which was always shut during fair week."

"The big thing I noticed was the amount of new customers we had during that week.

"We had so many people coming in saying 'we never knew you were here' even though we have been here for 18 months."

"I think that the fair is a good thing for the town, anything that gets people into Hereford can only be a good thing in the long run."

For hair salon owner Sabato Demattia, the week of the fair was a bumper one.

He said: "We had one of our busiest weeks of the year; it was fantastic.

It brings so much happiness and enjoyment to people, and everyone is in a good mood."

He added that if the fair was ever moved from the city centre it would be a bad move for Hereford.

He said: "I love it being in the town centre, they shouldn't move it anywhere else.

"As far as I'm concerned it should be here more often, it brings a carnival atmosphere."