First look inside new Tasmania’s Own Market at Salamanca
Tasmanians have turned out to support the new modified market event at Salamanca. See the first photos from inside the event.
Tasmania
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Tasmanians have turned out to support the interim market at Salamanca, with stallholders and the public giving the thumbs up to the modified event.
Due to Public Health regulations in place due to coronavirus, the market is able to accommodate up to 500 people at any given time, including stallholders and council staff.
As at 10.30am, there were 390 people inside the confines of what is known as Tasmania’s Own Market, which runs from 8.30am-1.30pm between Montpelier Retreat and the Silos.
After a subdued start to the event, there has been a steady stream of customers heading to Salamanca to experience the market for the first time in almost five months.
The market has not run since March because of coronavirus restrictions.
From homewares and jewellery, to alcohol, fresh produce and hot food, 80 stallholders were there to herald the return of the much-loved market.
Numbers are being monitored via a mobile phone app being controlled by “safety angels” at the many entry and exits to the event
Among the stallholders was Helen Mansbridge and her Pili Pala Pieces stall, which she has run at the market for 10 years and sells homewares, jewellery and leather goods.
“Everyone has been so nice and people are walking past saying welcome back and good luck,’’ she said.
“All the locals I’ve spoken to are pretty excited that it’s back on.”
She said trade from the market made up about 70 per cent of the total income of her business, but she had grown her online sales during the market’s hiatus.
Old Kempton Distillery staff member Tamika Schuller said she was pleased the market was back, albeit on a smaller scale.
“It’s good to be here and to get the name out there again,’’ she said.
“It’s been a little bit quiet but hopefully it will pick up throughout the day.”
The business had chairs set up in front of the stall to comply with restrictions around the service of alcohol that requires people to be seated for tastings.
Marketgoer Gemma Killalea said it was “phenomenal” to have the iconic Tasmanian market back up and running.
“I come here every week normally to listen to the tunes and I’m looking forward to music starting up again,’’ she said.
“It’s just good to have that community vibe again.”
She said she was looking to purchase homemade leatherwood candles and salt and pepper shakers made from native timbers.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said initial feedback was positive from stallholders and the public.
“It seems to be going really well and people are feeling safe but also really excited to see the market back. I know the stallholders are really thrilled to be actually trading,’’ she said.
“We are just testing our systems and making sure we’ve got a good formula for how to take things forward because we might need to operate like this for many months so we have to make sure it works for the stallholders and the public.
“It looks as though we’ve got the balance right, there’s a good flow of people, people are enjoying the experience and the stallholders are able to trade and keep their local businesses going. It’s a win-win.”
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