Determined manager says markets are here to stay

Reports of Balmain Market’s demise are greatly exaggerated, its manager Kevin McDonald says.

Responding to complaints from some stallholders that the patronage and quality of the market had plummeted, Mr McDonald said he expected to persevere through a difficult period in the economic cycle.

“We are going through a typical season low in terms of the yearly cycle of the market,” he told the Inner West Independent at the weekend. “All markets across Sydney have seen a downturn in trade, and that’s reflective of the overall economy.”

Mr McDonald pointed to massive discounts being run by fashion stores on Darling Street as further evidence of the retail issues being faced by Balmain.

On Saturday, about a dozen stalls plus a food hall were operating, although many last-minute cancellations had been taken due to road closures, the fleet review and football finals, Mr McDonald said.

He acknowledged the market had experienced a “tough time” but said spend-per-head remained high because it was positioned as “upmarket” compared to others nearby.

“Orange Grove is food, Rozelle specialises in second hand, and we’re more a boutique market,” he said. “We encourage artists and people who do craft to come.”

Many stallholders present at the weekend expressed confidence in the market’s managers. Maryanne Harris, who has sold hand-crafted soap, candles and body care products at Balmain Market for nine months, travels from Penrith every Saturday.

“We love this market,” she said. “I do very well here, every single week – I’ve never made a loss, which is why I keep coming back.

“Kevin’s been fantastic. All the staff here have been really, really good.”

Ms Harris said she owed her success to having the right product in the right location, and stallholders who don’t would find themselves struggling. Mr McDonald agreed that was a challenge.

“The people in this market who are doing well are the people who have the right products,” he said.

“Marketing your product in a place like Balmain Market – or any other market – is a continual process of adapting as your client base changes their spending behaviour.”

Shaun Farlow, a garden landscaper, sells plants at the market because it was recommended by a friend. He has been trading here for three months, has made “consistent” sales and says he loves the atmosphere.

But not all stallholders were optimistic. One, who refused to be named, said Mr McDonald was “full of excuses” about the market’s declining patronage and size.

“The whole thing needs to be shut down and revamped with a new manager,” she said.

Others, who had been selling at the market for more than a decade, complained about management’s preference for selling new rather than second-hand goods. They said the future of the market was grim.

Mr McDonald, who is also pastor of St Andrews Church which hosts the market, said he has discussed linking with other Balmain events such as the dog parade held across the road in Gladstone Park.

He said the implication in an August 29 story that dogs had been refused entry to the market was inaccurate.

“Despite some suggestions to the contrary, this is actually a dog-friendly market,” he said.

Trade is expected to lift in the lead-up to Christmas. Mr McDonald said any decision about the market’s future would not be his to make, but that of the church and its executive.

“I’ve made my views known [to the church],” he said. “Any business that doesn’t review what’s happening is foolish. But that doesn’t mean that the market’s about to close.”