Online outrage at closure of market

SHUT DOWN: Market organisers Sara Sutherland (left), Louisa and Dan Broughton with daughter Nell, and mayor John Booth at the official opening of the market in February.PHOTO/FILE

Carterton residents outraged at the temporary closure of the Farmers' Market have taken to Facebook to voice their frustration.

Late last week the organisers of the Carterton Farmers' Market posted on their Facebook page that the market would not be going ahead as a "local business felt that we were impacting on trade and so the position next to the Memorial Square is untenable".

As of last Sunday, the market has been temporarily shut down while a proposal from organisers to move from the street and into the square is considered by council.

Organiser Louisa Broughton said she had been blown away by the response from the community since news had spread of the closure.

"We are really overwhelmed and happy with the amount of support - we knew it was popular and well-supported but [the post] is coming up to 10,000 views."

Mrs Broughton said the market's stallholders and committee members had held a vote to decide if the market should restrict its hours and size in order to reduce its impact on the neighbouring business, but this, with some alternative locations, had been rejected in favour of a move into Memorial Square.

"We don't want to have any problems with our next door neighbour - the whole thing about the market is that it's a community venture. We see going into the square as a way to alleviate the problem.

"It's a better location and it's kind of where we wanted to be from the start so it seems like it would work for everyone involved."

The group has submitted a proposal to council outlining ways it could mitigate any possible damage to the square by using matting and weights rather than stakes.

While the closure was disappointing, especially for stallholders who had made products in advance, Mrs Broughton said she was hopeful the council would approve the proposal.

"We are hoping that will be that."

The owner of the Buckhorn Bar and Grill, John Kennedy, said he was not prepared to comment while the matter was still before the council.

Mayor John Booth said it was great to see the market receive so much support and he hoped a resolution could be reached soon.

"The passion that people are showing to have the market - it's been a real eye-opener in terms of people really wanting their market."

In light of the market's request to move into the square, council staff had been asked to investigate the possible risks, Mr Booth said.

"Because it is a special area and we'd like to do this right, we asked our parks and reserves manager and his crew to look at the park and what potential risks of damage and how we could mitigate it if the market was there."

Mr Booth said he had spoken to Rex Kenny from the Carterton RSA about the market moving into the square, and Mr Kenny had said "the old soldiers would have loved it if they could hear the laughter and happiness going on".

The group's proposal was received by council on Tuesday and a decision about whether the market could be based in the square is due to be made at the next council meeting on Wednesday.

A community picnic in support of the market is being held at the square this Sunday from 10am to 12pm.