Cranbourne resident and long-time marketeer John Foley believes a local market would be a success.
By Glen Atwell
EXPERIENCED marketeer John Foley said more than 100 stall holders are “ready and waiting to go” if a trash and treasure style market was launched in Cranbourne.
The success of a notice of motion introduced to Casey Council on Tuesday night will see council officers work with Mr Foley and the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce to identify a suitable site to host a monthly market.
Mr Foley, a Cranbourne north resident and former small business owner, is leading the push to have a trash and treasure style market opened in Cranbourne.
“Cranbourne is a blue-collar suburb and residents want a variety market. It will be immensely popular and will attract thousands of people,” he said.
Cr Kevin Bradford voted against the motion, and said while Mr Foley was a successful stall operator, he had no experience in running markets.
“People in Cranbourne aren’t calling out for a market,” he said.
“Former council officers have previously exhausted every avenue to get a market up and running in Cranbourne.
“Officers continually concluded that adequate space was not available.”
“The only possible site is at Cranbourne Racecourse, and with the possibility of additional race dates, there would be no opportunity to hold a regular market.”
Michael Read, retail property manager of the Cranbourne Homemaker Centre, said there was a real possibility of hosting a market at his 41,000 square metre facility on South Gippsland Highway.
“We are in the process of sealing an additional car park and when this space is available, we will definitely consider hosting a community market, provided our traders support the concept,” he said.
If a Cranbourne market does open, the exact nature of the goods on offer is likely to be a hotly debated topic.
Lisa Saint-John, the president of the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce, believes a craft market would be most suitable, while Mr Foley thinks variety is the key to a successful market.
“A dedicated craft market won’t work in Cranbourne,” he said.
“There is nothing wrong with craft markets but I’m not convinced a craft market would be sustainable. At the very least, we need a combination of the two.”
Cr Beardon said he would support both types of market.
“Any type of market would be great. I’m sure both forms can be accommodated in some way,” he said.
