Hobart City Council reveals likely market return date and what the interim market will be known as

Tasmania’s most iconic market has had a name change, as Hobart City Council introduces its new format to stallholders. Find out what the interim market will be called, and when it will kick off >>

• Hobart City Council is working towards reopening Salamanca Market but resumption date may not be known for two weeks
• Return of Salamanca Market in new-look format

A NEW date has emerged for the likely resumption of the alternate Salamanca Market, with the Hobart City Council also revealing a new name for the makeshift market.

The council earlier this month said the long-running market, which is Tasmania’s top tourist attraction, would likely return late July or in the first week of August.

But in a letter to stallholders on Tuesday evening, seen by the Mercury, HCC said Saturday August 8 had emerged as the likely restart date, subject to council approval.

Under a smaller new format, there would be multiple separate sections in operation, each with their own entry and exit pints, allowing for up to 500 people in each.

ESCAPE: Huon Valley, Tasmania, Kerry Heaney, Nov 5 - Salamanca Market. Mandatory credit: Tourism Tasmania & Hobart City Council

The letter told stallholders “the smaller, interim market won’t look like a traditional market”.

“This is one reason why we will be promoting it as ‘Tasmania’s Own Market’ – sending a clear invitation to locals to support it and the Tasmanian small businesses who are our stallholders,” the council letter reads.

Stallholders were also told they will be allocated to start trade in either week one, 8 August or week two, 15 August and they will only be permitted to trade every second week on a rolling alternate week format.

“With around 90 available stall sites and an expected increase in demand from stallholders as borders reopen, we believe a rotating fortnightly roster in the short term is the fairest model,” the letter states.

“It may also appeal to locals as they will have the opportunity to attend a ‘different’ market from week to week, which may encourage return visitation.”

The council said it was difficult to predict how long the interim format would operate for.

“It depends on the mass gathering restriction being eased further,” the Council said.

“Ideally, once it is clear that visitors are returning to Tasmania in reasonable numbers and all current health requirements, such as mass gathering limitations or social distancing requirements can be safely implemented, we will run a full Salamanca Market.”

The council said it would consult with stallholders before planning to resume a full market.