Gold Coast Art and Craft Market managing director Damon Robbins shares how it can be saved

An iconic Gold Coast market is set to rise from the ashes, having been forced to close after 40 years. Read how

Stall Holder Natasha Leventhal and Arts and Craft on the Beach GM Damon Robbins on their old and preferred site for the Burleigh Markets. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

An iconic Gold Coast market is set to rise from the ashes, having been forced to close after 40 years.

Gold Coast Art and Craft Market managing director Damon Robbins said he was currently in talks with Gold Coast City Council to save the weekly community event and its almost 200 small business stallholders.

Despite not renewing the market’s council permit due to changes that he said meant the business was ‘no longer viable’, Mr Robbins said he hoped to soon sign an amended version that would see the markets held on the first and third Sundays of every month in Broadbeach and the second and last Sundays at Coolangatta.

The market held its last event at Burleigh on Sunday, with the site no longer available due to ongoing construction.

Division 10 Councillor Darren Taylor said restoring the markets was of “high priority” to the council, both for residents and small businesses.

Cr Taylor said details of the new permit were still being assessed but the council would find a new market provider if necessary.

“No one tendered for the former permit, including Mr Robbins. We hope to continue working with him moving forward, but he has to agree to deliver the product. Our highest priority is simply to get the markets back for the sake of the small businesses and the community,” said Mr Taylor.

Stall Holder Natasha Leventhal and Arts and Craft on the Beach GM Damon Robbins on their old and preferred site for the Burleigh Markets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Robbins said he was “confident” the market would soon be back but said amendments to the original permit were necessary.

“Right now we’re just on hold while we wait for the council to do its thing, but we’re very hopeful that they’ll be able to meet the conditions we’ve asked for and we can get back to operating weekly,” said Mr Robbins.

“We know that Burleigh is not feasible as a site due to construction, and we understand there are planning hurdles that have to be passed in order to have Coolangatta take its place, but we’re optimistic.

“We’ve also asked either to remain at Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach or, if we are moved to Pratten Park, that there be additional support and signage from the council so that residents know where we are.

“There are a couple of other things we’d like to be included – like not being shut down over the weekend of the Pacific Air Show. It’s such a great event and we’d love to be operating when i’s on but so far we’ve been moved and excluded when it’s happening.”

Mr Robbins said he was grateful for the overwhelming support from locals, with a Bulletin survey showing more than 80 per cent wanted to see the market saved.

Gold Coast Art and Craft Market after 40 years of operating out of Burleigh Heads,

He said it had been an extremely stressful time and he felt personally responsible not only for his family’s 40-year legacy running the market, but also for the hundreds of stallholders who depended on the market for their business.

“Councillor O’Neill is back this week and she will be meeting with Councillor Taylor, plus debriefing with the council officers, so I think in the next couple of weeks we’ll have all the details and hopefully our next market dates,” he said.

“It’s been great to have the councillors backing us and the community has been incredible.

“I think it’s really shown how loved and needed the markets are. In the past we have been pushed around a bit and glossed over for fancier things but I think this can be a reset.”

Stallholder Natasha Leventhal, who runs skincare and pet care businesses Purely Yours, said the market’s community of business owners was delighted with the outcome.

“We’re hoping that in two weeks’ time we’ll be back up and running,” she said.

“The stallholders are stoked and grateful to our councillors for coming to the party and listening to our story and to Damon’s story and that the two of them are working together to bring the markets back.”

Gold Coast Art and Craft Market to shutdown after 40 years of operating out of Burleigh Heads,

Originally published as Gold Coast Art and Craft Market managing director Damon Robbins shares how it can be saved