They warn they will be forced to increase the prices of their goods and produce, if the market’s management presses ahead with plans. to
The council says rents need to increase to ensure the market is financially viable and that it’s aiming for an average increase of 7 per cent across all stallholders. It hired a consultant with retail leasing experience at markets and shopping centres to calculate the increases.Credit:Chris Ganatsios, who owns Nutshoppe, said he was happy to pay more rent, but the amount requested wasn’t fair. He declined to make the figure public.
However, he said after revenue loss due to the pandemic and increases in costs due to inflation, the suggested amount was extraordinary. He also declined to make the amount public.The other stallholders who spoke toOne woman, whose rent could increase by about 30 per cent, accused the committee of being bullies.
Port Phillip Council owns and operates the South Melbourne Market. The land it is on was made available under a crown grant for a general market in 1867. Pearl said the council aimed to keep rents as affordable as possible for traders and that most would face a 3.5 per cent rise. “The market is an integral part of [the] council’s long term financial sustainability and, as such, must continue to operate profitably and competitively,” it says.Simon Schluter