The legendary Glastonbury Festival, known worldwide for its incredible lineup of music and arts, is once again in full swing.

Amid the exciting performances and palpable energy, the festival is a hotbed for mixed sentiments among locals living and working close to the festival site.

While the event brings an economic stimulus and contributes to the region's cultural recognition, residents share divergent views on its impact, discussing the strain on infrastructure, noise disruption, and environmental effects.

In Wells, business owner Georgie Robbins expresses concerns about the dip in trade during the festival weekend, as people tend to avoid the area.

"Businesses do lose a lot of trade that weekend," Robbins notes, and Sarah Sloan supports this sentiment, adding that both Wells and Glastonbury's independent retail sectors experience a downturn.

However, Jessica Dyer adopts a more positive view, acknowledging the disruption but appreciating the overall benefits. "It has to be good for the local area. We have road chaos Thursday and Monday, but overall I think it's handled pretty well," she comments.

Steve Wilson shares this perspective, conceding the challenge to local businesses while highlighting the larger gains. "We just have to accept it as a small downside of such a great event that puts the area on the map overall," Wilson says.

In Shepton, the festival receives a warmer reception.

Local trader of 33 years, Alce Harfield, views the festival as a lifeline. "It supports me and my family as well as boosting the local economy," she shares. Similarly, Sarah Tully expresses pride in the event's fame. "I love the festival, very proud that this very famous festival is in our area," she says, reflecting the town's collective sentiment.

For residents of Glastonbury, the picture is a bit more complex. Patricia Linham shares her experience of a cider shortage in a local supermarket due to the influx of festival-goers.

Conversely, resident Kim Von Coels feels lucky to have the festival on her doorstep. "Not only is it fun and the highlight of my year, but it also has provided me with a huge array of interesting job opportunities and creative opportunities over the years," she says.

Nevertheless, the festival's disruptive elements are still at the forefront for some.

Sue Pursey shares her concerns about travelling during the festival, especially for important tasks like getting her son to college for an exam. "I have no problem with the festival being near here... but when traffic is really bad, it impacts local folks' everyday lives," she admits.

Balancing the scales, Sarah Thomas recognises both the disruptions and the contributions of the festival. "Many local businesses trade at the festival and employ local people in the process," she states, affirming the festival's economic benefits.

Adding a final note of positivity, Becky Stokes shares how her business enjoys a boost during the festival. "My business is always boosted by the pre-festival Glow Up and I would say it's a busier time than the Christmas rush," she said. "I enjoy seeing people about town and the buzz in the week leading up to the festival."

As the Glastonbury Festival continues to delight attendees, the debate within local communities keeps pacek as organisers and authorities are faced with the challenge and opportunity of balancing local needs with the advantages of hosting such a globally renowned event.

Whether viewed as a challenge or a celebration, the Glastonbury Festival undeniably leaves a lasting mark on the communities that host it.