TT needs to pay its own way

A TT spokesman is denying claims from local businesses they are already being ripped off for this year's festival.

Press officer Simon Crellin says a 20 per cent rise in the rent charged to catering companies during TT 2011 reflects the government's desire to have the festival pay its own way.

He says, as a commercial enterprise, it needs to make money to ensure it can continue into the future, and with more visitors booked this year, businesses should expect to make more cash.

However, he says he will look into the possibility of discounting stalls for local operators, after it emerged they get half-price licensing for TT merchandising: