City Walk Expo - Launching this Saturday (6th November 2010)

Gorman House Markets has been established in the City for almost 25 years, only minutes walk from the Canberra Centre.

Great setting, diversity of stalls, live music and children’s entertainment.

Welcomes new stallholders.

Extended Christmas Trading December 11th, 10am – 9pm. Santa will be visiting Kids Land at 2pm.

For all Canberrans wishing to shop in vibrant market in the City, why not stroll up Ainslie Ave to Gorman House each Saturday.

The City already has a great Saturday Market.

Go Gorman!!!!

Is anyone else concerned about the validity of VIASI as a “not for profit” organisation? Their website has remained the same for months now with the promotion of their market only coming on line in the last fortnight. Additionally there is no way to make a donation to this organisation. We should all be questioning why TAMS has seen fit to support this organisation who says it “constructing homeless shelters in Canberra and Sydney” I was under the impression that Sydney was the capital of NSW, so why is the Canberra Community being asked to support this?

I went along on Saturday as I was curious to see the quality of this “exclusive” market. It must have been incredibly exclusive as there were only about 40 stalls!

basketcase said :

100 stalls selling a variety of locally made products and produce

I bet! I bet they will all have imported junk from China or India.

And you were right basketcase! I saw a number of stalls that were only selling cheap imported toys, jewellery, baby goods and clothing.

I am also intrigued by Genies comment:

Genie said :

Firstly I will point out I am a market person…Handmade Markets and Bus Depot are too fussy, hence waiting lists.

Genie – I will take “fussy” any day of the week if it means quality for shoppers.

Stall fees aren’t so bad, deposit’s just one week of fees, and they let you book for as far in advance, or as few weeks, as you like. They credit you another week if the markets are cancelled one week IIRC.

Bus depot markets have a huge waiting list- I’ve been on it for over a year. I’ve phoned up – to no avail. I see the same empty stalls you do..it’s just the way they run things.

Bummer that they are making the stall fees so expensive, I would have liked to see more of Canberra’s local crafters. After the last couple of comments about it sounding like a scam, I went and looked at the markets website, and then found the website for the company who owns the markets. It certainly doesn’t look very professional.

Still hoping for a night market one day… I like shopping at night markets, easier to shop sans kids (ie spend more money because no small people are demanding my attention!).

Firstly I will point out I am a market person…

emd said :

Actually, given there is a wait list for stallholders at Handmade, and sometimes also for the Bus Depot, there may well be plenty of quality stallholders for another daytime market. Would love to see a night market in summer though.

Handmade Markets and Bus Depot are too fussy, hence waiting lists. They have to approve your stock and only let you sell ONE type of merchandise. (eg.. Sewing OR Jewellery not both)
When it comes to Handmade Markets, if your stock is similar to someone else’s stall they wont permit you a site. (YES I am speaking from EXPERIENCE) I could go on further about my experience and disgust for the runners of this markets but I’ll be nice for once.

As for Bus Depot.. I have a large variety of stock in my families market stall and we would be required to have 5 different stalls. Last time I was out there at least 50% of the space was empty, fine sunny day. So i’m confused about waiting lists – unless your refering to their “speciality markets”

As for this new market. Being a stall holder I personally thought this was a scam. Your required to lock in 12 months of markets and pay up front, plus a massive deposit fee. No refunds if the markets are cancelled (either due to bad weather or the whole thing falls through)

As a market person I fear this market is going to fail. I heard many different reactions from stall holders, some think great idea others not interested, I am hoping to head to the city to look at all these 100+ stalls that they expect to fit into such a small place the last city walk market was lucky to fit in 40 or so, the other reason why I believe it will fail is the over priced stall fee’s and deposits that are being asked of stall holders the rumors are you must pay a $500 deposit refunded when you longer do market and lock into 3-6months worth of markets payable upfront at $95 per market so that’s a total of 3 months $285 6 months $570 I will point out most canberra stall holders don’t have that kind of money. Some market stall holders are very concerned that it is a scam as they have been give different dates info etc. BUT I could very well be wrong.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Night markets are great but a very hard to run as you need right location with heaps of lighting which is hard to get here in canberra as there is so much red tape from gov

Actually, given there is a wait list for stallholders at Handmade, and sometimes also for the Bus Depot, there may well be plenty of quality stallholders for another daytime market. Would love to see a night market in summer though.

The London Circuit carparks near the Theatre Centre are pay and display until 12 or 12:30 on Saturdays.

Presumably a hangover from the days when the shops closed at that time on Saturdays.

Yes, you’re right. But the carparks on London Circuit further away from the Theatre (ie. on the left hand side of the Constitution Ave extention, not the right) are free all day.

100 stalls selling a variety of locally made products and produce

I bet! I bet they will all have imported junk from China or India.

I like the concept but it is really nothing new and I wonder if it will just make saturday morning in Civic even more crowded and unpleasant.

I think a really good night market during summer would be better. Something that encouraged lots of food stalls and entertainment and added more to the City than the bar and nightclub crowd.

We already have more than enough day markets – I wonder if there is room for another. I hope this wont kill Gorman House.