Preston market vendors desperate for compromise to keep businesses alive

Traders at an iconic market in Melbourne’s north, set to close next January, have united to lobby for a compromise that will save their livelihoods.

Traders at the Preston Market have penned an open letter demanding a compromise. Picture: Ellen Smith

More than 100 business owners at the Preston Market are fed up with the raging debate over the property’s future, penning a fierce open letter to voice their concerns.

The outcry from traders came after co-owner and developer Salta Properties stated the market would close from January for two years to allow for renovations in an email to all stallholders last week, after Planning Minister Sonja Kilkenny announced proposed development rules that would restrict development.

Business owner Kristian Gandolfo, who runs fresh pasta shop Mariluci, said the letter was designed to make the traders’ voice heard instead of being spoken for by other groups.

“We don’t want anybody or group talking on behalf of us anymore, we want to express our own voice … and represent the entire market,” he said.

Mr Gandolfo said the trader’s group position on what happened to the market building was “neutral”.

“Not against anything, not for anything.

“What we want is whatever guarantees that every single trader on the site can stay open.

“We don't want to lose a single day of trade.”

More than 100 traders gathered at the Preston Market on the afternoon of June 9 to hand over the open letter with 102 signatures from business owners at the market, to make a statement of their unity.

Mr Gandolfo said it had been difficult to unite business owners across the market, until the threat of closure became real.

“Our livelihoods rely on this place, day in day out, any type of closures are going to be detrimental to us all.

A copy of the open letter, signed by 102 Preston market business owners.

“This is the first time we’ve ever united about one thing … unfortunately it took the first closure to get everyone together,” he said.

“We all want to stay together.”

In the open letter, obtained by the Herald Sun, the traders called on the landlord of the property and the state government to “find a compromise … and ensure the future of each and every trader”.

“In any other circumstances, the loss of over 100 businesses and subsequently 1000s of jobs would cause the government to act quickly,” the letter read.

“As it has been for the past 20 years, the traders are being overlooked.”

Mr Gandolfo said it was only up to the government and the landlord to decide what was right for the market.

“There’s only two bodies that can make that decision and that’s the state government and the landlord, we just want them to work together.”

“Hopefully there's no more drama, they just come to a compromise and we’re done.”

He said traders were urging their customers and the broader community to support them, no matter what the future of the market held.

“Whatever the decision is, we want the community to stand by us.”