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HOMEOWNERS, workers and businesses in Chaguaramas say they are bearing the brunt of large-scale Carnival fetes, with recent events leaving residents stranded, staff members unable to reach their workplaces and some businesses forced to shut their doors this weekend.

Several retail and service businesses in the area said yesterday they were considering closing until after Carnival because of other scheduled fetes at venues along the Western Main Road.

Concerns were echoed by the Island Property Owners Association (IPOA), which called for stronger regulation and earlier stakeholder engagement in the approval of major events along the peninsula.