Mindil Beach Sunset Markets a chance to go ahead this year

THE world famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets could return this year if health requirements can be met.

The world famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets could return this year if health requirements can be met. Picture: News Corp Australia

THE world famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets could return this year if health requirements can be met.

The prospect of tucking into a laksa from the markets as the sun sets appeared to be uncertain for 2020, but now general manager Peter Ayre is confident with the easing of restrictions that the markets could be back.

He said organisers were aiming to bring the markets back on Sunday, June 7.

It would then run for a period of six weeks and at that point be reviewed.

However, the plan depends on the organisation meeting COVID-19 health standards and getting special permission for crowds in excess of 500 people.

At the moment, events with more than 500 people are considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Mr Ayre will meet with health officers, police and the NT Government this week in an effort to nut out the prospect of the markets returning this Dry.

“We need to not have restrictions on numbers and it’s difficult to control numbers down there, as you would imagine,” he said.

Mr Ayre said the return of the markets would be a welcome addition to the Darwin dry season scene.

“Everyone is pretty excited to have places to go at the moment and I think we will do quite well,” he said.

“This year I think you’d find people a little more willing to support local businesses I’m confident we will do OK.”

The option to participate in the markets has been put in to the hands of the stallholders.

“We have given our stallholders the option to trade or not but for some it’s just not viable,” he said.

“It will be a reduced market, probably around 60 per cent.

“We do enjoy nice local support but the reality is we rely on the thousands of tourists, which we don’t have.”

Craft stalls will also be able to participate in the markets.

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When coronavirus first broke out the opening of the markets was postponed from April 30 to May 28.

However, the lockdown on crowds and social distancing in an effort to stamp out COVID-19 meant the return of the markets at all was uncertain.