Restaurants fear return of Mindil Beach markets could spell the end of Thursday, Sunday trading

THE likely return of the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets may force some businesses to close their doors on conflicting nights, according to a prominent Top End restaurant owner

Could the return of the Mindil Markets see the sun set on Thursday nightlife in Darwin? Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE possible return of the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets as early as June may force some businesses to close their doors on conflicting nights, according to a prominent Top End restaurant owner.

Jason Hanna said he was worried he’d have to adjust his businesses to avoid competing with and losing customers to the markets, held on Thursday and Sunday nights, and was sure he wasn’t alone.

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“Mindil Beach could be the perfect indication of restaurants deciding to shut on a Thursday night, which is terrible for our staff but may be what has to happen to survive,” he said.

“Right now I’ve got a pub which is closing right after lunchtime and opening again for dinner.”

It comes after an underwhelming first weekend back to trading for the Territory’s pubs, restaurants and cafes, despite Mr Hanna praising the behaviour of those who braved the pubs.

“It’s now back to that harsh reality ... without that tourism element and still such a large amount of unemployment and uncertainty in the market, as much as we appear to be open, we’re still operating in a diminished capacity,” Mr Hanna said.

“We need to make some very tough decisions in the next few weeks as to how we’re going to survive the next two years … let’s just hope there’s a lot of people who said: ‘We won’t go out this weekend during the rush and we’ll enjoy it next weekend’.”

With the Mindil Markets aiming to reopen on Sunday, June 7, Mr Hanna was worried people wouldn’t have time to readjust to and enjoy restaurants before returning to the popular Dry Season attraction.

“We’re fighting some new normals with the patrons as well who have found new hobbies and ways of doing things,” he said.

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Markets general manager Peter Ayre said last weekend the markets could return next month in a reduced format for six weeks and be reviewed after that.

“It will be a reduced market, probably around 60 per cent,” Mr Ayre said.

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