SUNDAY FARMERS MARKET IS COSTING RATEPAYERS TOO MUCH TO REMAIN VIABLE

Council put up $440,000 to establish the Night Market over four years, and who knows how much to establish the Farmers Market. Thursday night markets have been cancelled until further notice, due to the current health risks around COVID 19. However the Council are keeping the Sunday Farmers Market running at present. Allowing 5-6 stall holders to be involved and holding it indoors. They are allowing x 10 people into the shop at any one time, including the stall owners, so x 4 customers can be in the shop. That is costing rate payers $1250.00 per week, after revenue and council costs are taken into account. That appears to be a big cost to our city, for very little good. They also suggested they needed to move it indoors to keep it controlled, due to risks around the case of someone getting diagnosed with COVID 19. Does that mean they are going to make each person sign in and out when they enter and exit the shop, so they know who was there when others were? Council have estimated there could usually be up to 500 people on a regular day of market, however, I’m not sure about you guys, but I’ve never seen big crowds at Sunday markets so surely it would still be viable to have it outdoors, or if too risky, cancel it.

Linda Rowbotham