Winter Markets by the Lake?

As a stall holder myself from time to time I would not be going to any night markets with my goods I’m afraid. Too cold, too much time and energy needed to set up/pack up/take home and no guarantee of any financial return at all given that the rest of the population will be home in front of their fires/ecologically sound heat source of some kind, like I will be!! If the NCA took the time to canvas potential stall holders, I think they would can the idea very swiftly. It’s hard enough to run a stall when you are making a profit and it’s inside or at least under cover. Outside, in Canberra, in winter AND near the lake, where the cold winds blow coldest, a really, really bad idea!

Now Gorman House markets, that’s another issue completely. Mostly undercover, been around for a long time, reliable and friendly. Great coffee and food and beautiful hawthorn trees in the courtyards. Heritage building. My idea of a great place for a stall or just to relax on Saturday.

PS Public liability insurance for a stall holder can be obtained for under $200 for a year which isn’t outrageous. You don’t have to sell much to recoup. Best rates I have found are at Rural and General.

L

I don’t think another market in Canberra is a bad idea, and the foreshore is a nice spot for it. But I doubt people are going to turn up in the numbers needed on a cold winter night. And if it fails over winter, I doubt they’ll give it a try in summer.

The Kingston markets are great because they’re indoors (suits all weather) and well known, and they have strict policies on what stall holders can sell. But they’re so popular that it can be hard to get a place.

The Hall markets are popular, and also have policies on what can be sold to ensure there’s a focus on crafts and produce. But being outdoors mostly, it’s hot and dusty in summer and dead in winter. And they’re only on once a month.

Gorman House is good because they have a central location, indoor places for bad weather, and also lots of good quality craft and produce stallholders. But stallholders need to arrange their own insurance (according to the info on their website) which can be off-putting.

And the Trash n Treasure markets are a whole different thing – the kind of things for sale means a very different demographic, and I’ve heard you have to turn up at the crack of dawn to get a place at some of these markets.

If only it were so clear cut. The NCA also have veto over certain kinds of development in the rest of Canberra, so there’s a kind of dual-jurisdiction situation (this is what happened with the GDE route, and the reason that Fairbairn Dr is still a two-lane road).

The night market idea might work – need a big bon fire to keep everyone warm!

jgangsta – HERE HERE!!!

Further to what JB said – NCA vs Local Government is some kind of grand experiment.

NCA control the federal/national bits of Canberra
LA control the rest

NCA allowed the shops/offices at the airport – brand warehouse etc. even though the LA had approved a development at Fyshwick (however dubious the story appears upon further investigation) – they can throw stones at each other.

Lol you must have been under a large rock to miss that one 😛

There’s one thing that the very successful and highly regarded Eumundi or Mindle Night Markets (Darwin) have that Canberra LBG Night Markets will never have, and that’s they’re located in the tropics.

Me, I’ll be warm and toasty at home.

National Capital Authority.

Funded by the Federales, controlled by the Liberals, and responsible for the national bits of Canberra.

What is the NCA? Before this post, I assumed it was the planning arm of the local government. Surely you don’t mean it is a Federal agency in competition with the ACT?

My mind is already so boggled at the inanities in ACT politics and this is just increasing the bogglingness…

Boom! Damn, my head exploded.

you guys don’t get out or around much hey? (i also mean the cinemas when i say that too – yeah, dvd at home is good, but so is going out to the movies!) loved going to markets while in europe, far bleaker and colder (especially when there was no snow) than anything canberra can dish out – lovely to be out and about. it’s not about buying stuff, it’s about experience, being in the community, enjoying pretty lights, Gluewhein, lovely food. this will be great if it’s done right.

Global warming on a local scale!

I hear they will redirect the hot air from parliament so we can experience the night markets in a more tropical environment.