Handmade and Homegrown Markets On Q labelled a success by vendors

Campbelltown’s handmade and homegrown markets are so popular they’ve been extended till the end of 2022, and tonight councillors will vote on whether to make them a permanent fixture. Have your say in our poll.

A popular market that focuses on supporting local businesses who have an ethos of handmade has leapt from success to success, and it soon could be a permanent fixture on Macarthur’s social calendar.

The first Handmade and Homegrown Markets was held on March 20 and markets were again held on April 10 and May 15, and funded by the NSW government’s ‘The Festival of Place - Open Streets’ program.

The events were so popular that in July, Campbelltown City Council announced it would be extending the markets until the end of 2022.

They are running the third Sunday of every month for the remainder of the year, from 8.30am to 1pm, at Lithgow Street Campbelltown with about 50 stalls at each event, ranging from fresh fruit and produce to handcrafted goods.

But a motion going before councillors at tonight’s meeting could see the market extended yet again.

“The Handmade and Homegrown markets are hosted On Q in Lithgow Street, using the newly refurbished streetscape as well as the gardens of Glenalvon House,” a report submitted to council states.

“The Lithgow Street location was chosen over other city-based locations to encourage people to explore the Queen Street precinct and support businesses in the city centre who have struggled during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Feedback from stallholders and the community has been overwhelmingly positive with many commenting on the ‘great vibe’ with some likening it to Hobart’s Salamanca Market.”

Councillors will vote on whether or not to endorse the undertaking of an expression of interest process to appoint an appropriate ongoing operator for the market for a fixed term from February 2023.

Vendor Peter Simpson is the face behind Bradbury Honey and he has a stall set up with other “backyard” honey producers from the Macarthur Beekeepers Association.

“We are a collective of beekeepers and what we do differently, all our honey is backyard honey,” he said.

“We don’t blend our honey, it’s all single source and we sell it via the suburb so we have honey from Bradbury, Wedderburn, Minto, Macquarie Fields and more.”

Mr Simpson said the markets have been fantastic in helping the beekeepers promote responsible beekeeping as well as sell their delicious products.

He said the first market was “abuzz” with activity as people were excited to be out and about after the months of Covid lockdowns, and he hoped it would continue in 2023.

“We have now settled into a really steady rhythm which is fantastic,” Mr Simpson said.

Campbelltown City councillors will vote on September 20 whether or not to endorse the undertaking of an expression of interest process to appoint an appropriate ongoing operator for the Handmade and Handgrown Market for a fixed term from February 2023. Picture: NAT Photography/Campbelltown City Council

“It’s been great to see people support local. I think there is a real focus on food mileage and if you are buying honey from Bradbury or Minto then that mileage is so small which is great. The whole buy local market is becoming very strong.”

Leone Thomson from Oakdale Condiments started her business about 10 years ago after learning preserving techniques from her mum.

She said the markets have been a fantastic way for the community to get outdoors, mingle and support local business, adding that she hopes it continues into next year.

“I think it has been really healthy for the community. Things had really slowed down with Covid, so this has given us a chance to boost the business again,” Ms Thomson said.

“I think it’s also a great way for the community to support local business.”

Originally published as Handmade and Homegrown Markets On Q labelled a success by vendors