General News
22 June, 2022
Mortlake Market wraps successful season
THE Mortlake Markets experienced a new high for average stalls during a bumper season as events begin to emerge from COVID-19 restrictions.
THE Mortlake Markets experienced a new high for average stalls during a bumper season as events begin to emerge from COVID-19 restrictions.
The monthly markets, run by the Mortlake Community Development Committee (MCDC), have experienced more than a threefold increase in stalls in recent years.
MCDC president Kelvin Goodall said volunteers had been creative in helping to bring new stallholders to the markets.
“Over the two years of COVID we couldn’t really have markets but we’d started with a low number of stalls, so during that time we started advertising and reaching out to other markets,” he said.
“We visited other markets in Terang and all over, handing out brochures, so I think from the first market we had gone from a single figure number of stalls to around 24."
“When we got to 36 we had to try and find more space, but it’s steadily grown to now average more than 30.”
The markets have become a popular feature in town, with Market Square often full of bargain hunters enjoying a variety of stalls, food, produce, prizes and live music.
Mr Goodall said he was feeling optimistic for the future of the markets.
“To have the average of stalls we had over the last 12 months, I was surprised but delighted,” he said.
“It’s changed in terms of what is on offer, with some stallholders having mentioned bringing new goods to sell."
“We’ve established both regular and new stallholders, and the quality of the stuff people are selling seems to have improved a lot from when we started."
“The range of products has really increased.”
The final market for the season was held on the Queen’s Birthday public holiday, which saw plenty willing to brave the elements.
“We had 30 stalls at the final market, which was more than we expected given our capacity is around 36,” he said.
“Most of the stallholders did quite well despite attendance probably being a little down, given how cold it was.”
Mr Goodall said stallholders had expressed happiness with the regular flowthrough of bargain hunters, with some having already been in touch to discuss site availability when the markets return in October.
“We hibernate in winter because it’s cold and nobody wants to turn up; especially the volunteers when it’s 6.30am and feels like a blizzard,” Mr Goodall said.
“But we’ve done that for the last two years and it’s worked out very well, so we look forward to bouncing back with the warm weather.”