Market too popular to reopen because of coronavirus social distancing rules

Despite many markets reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown one Brisbane market may not come back before November because, ironically, it is too popular.

Staff enforced social distancing at Jan Powers Farmers Markets at New Farm recently. Picture: Richard Walker

The popularity and carnival-like feel of one north Brisbane market will see it stay closed for the foreseeable future, despite others reopening around the city.

Chillin’ In the Hills co-ordinator Sara Ashmore-Smith said she would not go ahead with the May event at James Drysdale Reserve, Bunya, and may have to hold off for several more months.

Mrs Ashmore-Smith was wary of the experience of other markets that restarted recently, after the COVID-19 shutdown, where operators had trouble limiting the number of shoppers.

“I had one booked for May but it definitely won’t go ahead because it’s too many people. We get more than 500,” she said.

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Mrs Ashmore-Smith also operates the Bardon markets which reopened at the weekend but said it was a very different set-up.

The Bardon market only had a maximum of 50 people at a time and was in park where people could move off into.

“We can socially distance quite easily,” she said

“I have to work out per square metre how many people. I’m allowed up to 150 there.

“I have to be really controlled with what I do at Bardon. I have to make sure people don’t congregate.

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“They come and shop and go, and it’s all essential services like fruit and veg and stuff like that whereas this (Chillin’ In The Hills) is more of a carnival.

“They sit around, they meet up with friends, they have a drink.

“It just doesn’t work basically, so we have to hold.”

Mrs Ashmore-Smith said their next scheduled market would be in November, but that would depend on regulations at the time.