Maitland City Council has decided to hold the annual event in the Riverside Car Park off High Street, where it took place last year.

But some traders, many who asked to remain anonymous, told the Mercury that they were confused about why council would hold the festival in a car park instead of its revamped lifestyle precinct.

A council report noted that Aroma should be held in the car park this year as a trial to provide a distinction between the coffee and chocolate festival and the annual Maitland Taste festival, which took place in March.

The report also noted that the car park had enough space for more than 70 stalls.

Council plans to hold a sidewalk sale in The Levee during Aroma, on August 15 and 16, to attract foot traffic through the old mall.

“With the Riverside Car Park closed, the majority of foot traffic would traverse through The Levee precinct,” the council report noted.

“Further, traders from The Levee will be provided with the opportunity to be a part of the festival within the Riverside Car Park should they choose to do so.”

But New Look Eyewear owner Alison Burns said market stalls would not be enough for struggling businesses in The Levee that had been looking forward to the drawing power of Aroma.

She said passing trade had halved for many businesses in The Levee since work began in the middle of last year.

“It’s just a mess and there is noise and dust and we don’t know when it is going to be done,” Ms Burns said.

“First it was supposed to be finished in February then we were told the end of March, then we were told the end of May, but that was before the flood.”

Ms Burns said she was sceptical about how helpful the sidewalk sale would be for businesses in The Levee.

“The whole point of The Levee is to attract people into the city, having stalls there is not the same [as having Aroma in The Levee],” she said.

“The bulk of people will be in the car park and I know from experience that most people won’t walk through the mall.”

Johnstons Shoes owner Michael Johnston said the festival should not be held in the Riverside Car Park.

He said festivals such as Aroma and Taste should incorporate more businesses across the city and not just be dropped in a clump in one place.