Popular seafront activities for children such as hair braiding and wrapping, temporary glitter tattoos and busking have been banned at Perranporth.

Perranzabuloe Parish Council has decided to prohibit the services after 25 years to ensure “a fair and competitive business environment”.

However, many traders in Perranporth don’t mind the presence of the seasonal businesses, which tend to operate on the green on the approach to the town’s beach during the Easter and summer holidays.

One business owner accused Perranzabuloe Parish Council of being “pathetic”, while residents are also critical of the move.

The council instigated its new street trading policy following an incident last summer at the Tunes in the Dunes festival when a Cornwall Council licensed street trader set up a stand on the pathway leading to the beach selling T-shirts bearing – what the parish council says – was “a very offensive slogan”. The council received complaints from members of the public as a result.

The parish council attempted to have the street trader removed, who in turn asked for the authority’s street trader policy. There wasn’t one, so the parish council has now introduced the new guidelines.

Following concerns raised in the town, Perranzabuloe PC will hold a meeting to discuss the matter at 7pm on Monday, March 3.

Parish clerk Amanda Lash said: “Whilst the incident at Tunes in the Dunes prompted the conversation, this was not the sole reason. Sellers who promote offensive goods can be removed by the police and indeed was the case at Tunes in the Dunes.”

She added that as part of the discussions on Monday, the council will be looking at “the bye-laws, which explicitly prohibit selling, as well as the set-up of stands, booths or similar structures”.

Comments have come thick and fast on a Facebook page dedicated to the parish. One resident said: “As a local business owner I really don’t feel the beach front traders had any negative impact on our business, in fact quite the opposite!

“We often have customers mentioning how much their children look forward to getting their hair wrapped and a glitter tattoo, it always seemed very much part of the quintessential Perranporth holiday experience, and in my mind another little draw to our fabulous village.”

Another wrote: “What a shame! Disappointed yet not surprised.” While someone else added: “I really liked these little services last year. Walking past seeing little children with smiles on their faces, having their hair beading and Popeye tattoos reminds me of when I was a child with my parents. Such a shame – these little services are definitely missed in my eyes.”

A parent commented: “My daughter and her friends used to love having their hair wrapped every summer when they were kids.

“This is a very disappointing decision by PPC and I really hope you’ll somehow be able to continue brightening up so many children’s lives with these happy summer experiences.”

Stoked, a local surf school, has offered space for the street traders at its premises as a result of the move as has the nearby Seiners Arms pub.

Another business owner, who did not want to be named, wrote to us highlighting the council’s decision.

“There has been a local outpouring in support of the small businesses offering the services and condemnation of the parish council.

“The larger picture is that a community that offers a holiday experience for tourists from all over the UK is now going to lose a very popular feature and ultimately businesses will suffer by this ruling.

“At a time when small businesses are struggling, the parish council has decided to effectively kill specific businesses for absolutely no reason. A successful trade of 25 years is now being stopped for no reason.”

On a visit to Perranporth today (Thursday, February 27), a member of staff at the seafront Dolphin Café said they had nothing against the street traders and thought the council was being “pathetic”.

“The people who are braiding kids’ hair and giving them temporary tattoos aren’t taking away from any other businesses in the town. Children want that sort of thing when they come to the beach,” they added.

However, another business owner in the town told us: “Every trader on the seafront is a trader not in the town centre.”

The street trading policy, which is published on the council’s website, states: “The purpose of this policy is to prohibit street trading and persons providing services, within the jurisdiction of Perranzabuloe Parish Council.

Street trading (including persons providing services) in the street is prohibited to safeguard existing businesses in the high street, ensuring a fair and competitive business environment.

“Street trading and persons providing services is strictly prohibited within land owned by PPC.

This prohibition is in place to protect existing businesses in the high street from unfair competition and to maintain the economic vibrancy of the local community. PPC reserves the right to take legal action against any individual or business found in violation of this policy.”

The policy will be reviewed periodically by the council’s finance and operations committee to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Amendments may be made as necessary, with input from local businesses, residents and relevant stakeholders.