‘Blow to community’: Controversy over Lennox Head Market closure decision
A Northern Rivers community has expressed their “disappointment” following the news a well-known market is closing down due to financial hardship. Here’s the latest.
Community News
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Byron Markets has announced the Lennox Head Market will be closing sparking outrage from some locals.
The community market is set up on the grass at Williams Reserve by the sea with stalls selling handmade goods, second-hand treasures and food to locals and tourists.
The market’s licence will expire on April 8 with the last market on March 31.
Byron Markets, who manage Lennox Head Market, said financial restraints have caused the closure following Ballina Shire Council being unable to provide $25,000 per year to keep the market running.
A stall holder of more than 20 years, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Byron Shire News the closure has been “a big blow to the community”.
“It’s such a shame that it has to close because I found it such a sweet mix of oldies and newbies at a beautiful location,” they said.
“I was constantly enraged at the lack of promotion from the Byron Markets. Sometimes there was no post at all on the social media pages to say the market was on.
“It’s not the 1980s anymore and people need reminding during the week and also would benefit from the promotion of makers and products.
“I truly believe the Byron Markets underestimates and underfunds professional e-marketing.”
The stall holder also said the new market’s location at Byron’s CBD, which runs on the first Sunday of every month, is problematic.
“I used to be able to make a living wage from Byron Markets and now it’s hardly worth attending because of dwindling attendees and the terrible disjointed layout, as well as trading on a road which so unbearably hot,” they said.
Markets manager Graham Double said everyone was saddened by the difficult decision not to renew the license for the Lennox market.
“Financial challenges amid economic turndown and declining stall holder attendance have made it unsustainable,” he said.
“With our available budgets, we maximised our marketing efforts for the Lennox Community Market to the fullest extent possible, including regular local advertising and social media presence.
“Every market in our roster receives comprehensive promotion, including press releases, social media advertising and radio announcements.
“While stallholders have expressed their sadness at the decision we have not received any negative feedback.
Mr Double said Byron Markets had no control over the location of the market.
“Byron Markets extends its sincere appreciation to all stallholders, community members and partners whose commitment enriched the Lennox Community Market,” he said.
Other store holders including Elissa and Phil Lees from Deep Blue Creative said the closure was “understandable” but “disappointing”.
“The Lennox market has been a really pleasant market to be a part of. Greg and the market team had created a great atmosphere for stallholders and customers,” they said.
“We will need to adjust by either finding another market or an alternative way to sell our work in the area.”
However the Lees said the Lennox Head Market closure wasn’t the only challenge they’ve faced over the recent years.
“Most stallholders at the moment are experiencing a downturn in their sales because of interest rate rises last year, prior challenges brought on by Covid and the extreme wet weather and floods of 2022,” they said.
“The most important thing customers can do is to make an effort to shop with local makers at markets to ensure these businesses and markets continue to exist.”
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the council awarded the Byron Community Centre (BCC), which Byron Markets falls under, the operation of the Lennox Head market in January 2022 after an expressions of interest call.
“The BCC recently made a request to Council for financial assistance in the form of $25,000 per annum for the ongoing operation of the market,” she said.
“The BCC was advised that funding is not currently allocated within the council’s budget for organisations to operate monthly markets.
“While the closure of the market is not something that has been planned, it does present an opportunity for council to complete scheduled field improvements at Williams Reserve.”
These improvements will commence in September 2024 following the end of the winter sports season.
The Byron Community Market, Byron Beachside Market and Byron Twilight Market will continue.
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