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Saturday Market Report Oct 7.
Saturday was the first day of the new experiment, where we moved the market site from the Council Precinct to the Wagga Showgrounds, eliminated the need for canopies and tables and reduced the team from 14 to 7 members.
There were 16 stall holders. 9 stall holders failed to show because of the clash with Lockhart’s
”Spirit of the Land”.
Attendance by the community was also very low.
However, we gained valuable knowledge in getting this market site underway.
!. We have stored the necessary bins chairs and around town signs in the Hammond Hall under the stairs. There will be teardrop banners to be sorted, but for the moment they are in the Producers Market container outside the rear of the hall.
2. We placed the barbecue within the hall this time. It remains to be seen if this is acceptable.
3. We cannot make many decisions based on this market as it was so poorly attended.
Suggestions:
The barbecue must be on site by 7.30, so ought be picked up from North Wagga by 7am.
A permanent float should be established.
A set of guide lines be provided as to the food needed, and instructions on operating the machine itself. This because many have not worked on the barbecue and do need to be guided when their turn inevitably comes.
A cafe area in the Hall as suggested by Steve Anderson is a good idea as it will tend to keep people in the hall to the advantage of the stall holders.
Summary.
The market was very light both in attendance and stall holders. We think this is because people haven’t yet got used to the idea of the change of venue or days as well as the competing events. We need to continue our advertising emphasizing this fact, or perhaps increase it.
As there was such a poor showing the team unanimously agreed to make it a free day as a PR exercise. This was well received.
The non-provision of tables or canopies caused no comment at all, and many of the 16 said they have their own already.
The team. John Egan OIC, Steve Anderson, David Foster (for Mark Hillis), David Benn, David Byfield, James Hamilton, John Smith and Frank Fuller. Ably assisted by Mal Roberson.
There was little return from the barbecue ($40), the gate was$ 198. We have to pay the Show Society $300.
We cannot of course make any decision based on this event as it was unique. We had the Circus right beside us which made our market signage a bit confusing and ineffective, and there was great leakage to the Lockhart event. In fact it turned out to be a pretty bad day to start the new wave, through no fault of our own.
The next few months will be telling as to whether this has been a wise move.
But all in all the crew had an enjoyable event, good weather and great camaraderie.
John Egan.