Eagle Farm markets to close, citing more competition and falling attendance numbers

A RENOWNED Brisbane market that had become a foodie haven, attracting more than 200,000 visitors a year, is set to close this month in a move that has left stallholders and customers stunned.

News BCM 10.4.11 Eagle Farm Markets. Eagle Farm Markets. Pic Peter Wallis

SHOPPERS and stallholders have been left stunned by the closure of the popular Eagle Farm Markets at the end of the month, with organisers blaming falling attendance and more competition in the area.

The markets, based at Eagle Farm Racecourse have been a foodie haven on the northside for eight years, attracting around 200,000 people a year.

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However Chairman of the Brisbane Racing Club Neville Bell said other markets popping up in the area, along with temporarily moving the markets to Doomben during construction works had been “challenges”.

“The challenges were numerous including the fact that several other markets had opened within our catchment in recent years and we had to temporarily move the markets to Doomben while Ascot House was being constructed,” Mr Bell said.

“In the last financial year, 88,000 customers visited our Markets – a decrease of 23.5 per cent on 2016-17. This followed on from a decline in the previous year.”

Stallholders were caught off-guard by the announcement, only told about plans to close at 4.20pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Some, who hadn’t seen the email, only found out when they logged on to Facebook.

In an email to stallholders Adam Nikodem from Brisbane MarketPlace told retailers there had been “many attempts” to revitalise and restructure the markets in recent years, but said ultimately there wasn’t enough support to keep it going.

One stallholder, who wished not to be named, said the number of sellers has shrunk from more than 300 to around 50 in the two years he has been involved.

He said the decision by the Brisbane Racing Club to sell off car-parking had been a nail in the coffin for the markets, with a lack of parking driving people away.

Brisbane Markets Limited has been contacted for comment.

Mr Bell said the decision had been made with the BRC’s partner Brisbane Markets Limited.

“This decision was not easy however we are mindful that our responsibility as a Club is to ensure our growing non-racing ventures are operated in a sustainable manner,” he said.

In a series of posts on the market Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon organisers announced their last day of trading will be Sunday October 28.

“We would like to thank our Stallholders for their steadfast support through the eight years of trade, our customers for making the Markets part of their Sunday ritual, our talented musicians and performers who bring to Markets to life each week, the many and varied charity and community groups who came along to fundraise, and our wonderful staff members who set up, clean and pack down the Market each day,” the post read.

Shoppers have taken to social media to express their disappointment, and said the move came as a surprise.