Market Arcade demolition delayed, which augurs poorly for Market’s crucial Christmas trade

Demolition works on the Central Market Arcade will not start until November, raising the ire of one city councillor who says it will be disastrous for Christmas trade.

Demolition of the Market Arcade will not start until at least November, raising the ire of one city councillor who believes the works will be “disastrous” for the Central Market’s holiday trade.

Councillor Phillip Martin says he has repeatedly requested documents from Adelaide City Council about the delay and why it’s been pushed back after 38 tenants were made to vacate by June 30.

“The most recent agreed date for the development to begin was the end of June at which time demolition would begin. The council has issued numerous statements over time that work would be happen when traders vacated,” Cr Martin said.

“If indeed they (traders) could have stayed there to enjoy trade through to next year then we should have let them.”

The arcade – built in the 1960s – is to be bulldozed for a $400m redevelopment that includes an expanded market below with above offices, apartments a boutique hotel.

How the Central Market Arcade will look from Gouger St.

Cr Martin said the council must be transparent about the development and will lodge Supreme Court action if documents are not provided, under section 61 of the Local Government Act, by close of business on Monday.

“I’m worried for the traders who are already experiencing a loss of trade as consequence of the supermarket going that they will suffer further as I imagine that once the building is being dismantled it will be a very noisy site,” he said.

Developer and Adelaide Central Market Authority chairman Theo Maras strongly refutes the suggestion holiday trading will be affected if demolition works are under way.

“Can you imagine if it happened to every development in the city? Look at Harris Scarfe and David Jones developments; business doesn’t stop when works are on,” Mr Maras said.

“We have every confidence that the market will continue to be as buoyant as what it is and the market has been trading exceptionally well with the arcade and Coles not there.”

Mr Maras said a delay in works beginning on any project was not unusual “due to supply and availability in trades during these times”.

The project, Market Square, is a joint venture between the council and Melbourne-based company ICD Property.

The council released an e-news email to its elected members on August 31 – following several inquiries from Cr Martin – outlining the program of works.

It detailed that “soft strip” demolition works starting in November and the main building later this year.

The council was asked what the original timeline for demolition was and whether the completion date had changed, but it did not provide a response.

Instead, the council forwarded the e-news information that went to councillors earlier this week.

The planned Market Square atrium.