Weekend markets – a way out of recession?

Anyone can set up a stall at a Sydney market provided they have a legitimate product to sell, can afford the modest site fee (which varies from market to market) and have public and product liability insurance. Glebe Markets manager, David McCumstie, has been involved in the iconic Saturday gathering at Glebe Public School since his family started Glebe Markets 17 years ago. “We started it as a small family business and it is now an internationally known market,” he said. “Tourism NSW were here filming for a story on the markets just last week.” Mr McCumstie believes the opportunity to see an item you can’t find at a Westfield is what attracts people to the markets. “It’s also about being outdoors, socialising and interacting with the makers of the products,’’ Mr McCumstie said. “I always try and cultivate stall holders who offer something unique.”

In Kings Cross, markets run all weekend, beginning with the organic food markets on Saturday run by a private company and the generic markets run by the Rotary Club on Sunday. All profits from the Sunday markets are put back into the community. Potts Point and Kings Cross Partnership general manager, Linda Mearing, said the Sunday market has been running for 14 years and the money raised goes straight back to the people who need it most. “The Rotary Club recently bought GPS devices for all NSW ambulances with money raised from the Sunday markets. They do so much for local health services.”

Eveleigh Market is Sydney’s newest addition to the market landscape, beginning in February this year. It features a weekly farmers’ market every Saturday and an arts and craft market on the first Sunday of every month. Eveleigh Market manager, Ariana Aljinovic, said community response has been amazing with the farmers’ market now averaging 3,000 people through the doors each week. “We’ve had a fantastic response and the market is now recognised as a community hub where people can have fun as a family,’’ Ms Aljinovic said. “People come to do their shopping and stay for coffee and lunch. There is live music played and the atmosphere is very organic.’’

Glebe Markets manager, Mr McCumstie, keeps a close eye on all the markets across Sydney. He said local shop owners are often the biggest winners from the markets which help to strengthen the local economy. “I have a lot to do with local businesses and the Glebe Chamber of Commerce and they couldn’t be happier,” he said. “They tell me that market day is their bread and butter trading day because it brings so many people to the area.”

The benefits of hosting a weekly market are not only financial but cultural as well. “Markets fulfil a role of enlivening public spaces by attracting a young, energetic crowd as well as talented and interesting people,” Kings Cross Partnership manager, Ms Learing, said. “Without markets these spaces would be quite forlorn and boring.”

For more information go to www.sydney.com.au .

Photo: Ali Blogg - Caption: Glebe Markets

Source: South Sydney Herald June 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au