Brisbane Markets Rocklea relocating, closed for Christmas

Brisbane’s original produce market has announced it will close for about two months over Christmas to relocate, with the fate of its Sunday edition hanging in the balance.

Brisbane’s original fresh food marketplace is about to undergo one of its biggest transformations, closing for about seven weeks over the holiday period to relocate.

Brisbane Markets at Sherwood Rd in Rocklea, which traces its origins back to the 19th century, hosts the popular Saturday Fresh and Sunday Discover markets.

It announced on its website that it will cease trading after its Saturday market on December 18, until February 12, to allow it to move.

But it won’t be going far. The Saturday Fresh market will move from 250 Sherwood Rd across the road to 385 Sherwood Rd, inside the covered unloading area of the Brisbane Produce Market.

The new location abuts Brisbane Markets’ free multistorey carpark and is connected via covered walkways.

However, the announcement raise a question mark over the future of the Sunday edition of its markets, which are unable to be shifted across the road.

“Brisbane Markets is currently investigating options for a site to host the Sunday Discovery Market and will announce the new location and opening date in due course,” the statement said.

Jonalyn Macaraig from Festive Fresh Market posing at Flower Lovers at Festive Fresh Market at 385 Sherwood Rd.

According to the statement, the relocation of Brisbane Markets is to “allow for the future development of Brisbane Markets’ expanding wholesale operations, which supply fresh fruit and vegetables to consumers right across Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern NSW, and contribute billions of dollars to Queensland’s economy annually”.

The Saturday Fresh market on December 18 will go ahead as planned, as will the Festive Fresh Market on Wednesday, December 22, from 3–8pm.

Brisbane Markets said it would be contacting all stallholders in the coming weeks “to discuss their options and (we) hope to welcome everyone back when trading resumes in 2022”.

Brisbane Markets has a rich history. Founded at Roma S in the CBD in 1885, the venue moved to its current address in 1964 as the city became more developed.