A veteran boxing ring announcer, seen on Foxtel's Main Event, has come to the aid of small businesses who he claims relied on weekly Bulli markets.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rick Powell, whose son sold produce at the Foragers Market at Bulli Showgrounds, said he was saddened by the stories he has heard following a decision by management to relegate them to a monthly event.
From April 21, Mr Powell will run regular Sunday markets at the showgrounds, on the weekends Foragers is not there.
"Our focus is on the community and stall-holders whose livelihoods were all but wiped out with the decision to go monthly," Mr Powell said.
"We are very pro-stallholders and they have a say without fear."
Darren Hull, operations manager of Bulli Greyhounds (who are responsible for the showgrounds) said since Foragers made the shock announcement on February 26, he has been inundated with phone calls.
"The phone hasn't stopped ringing ... from various stakeholders, people in the community, anyone you can lay a name to - and there was a real desire and passion for a weekly market to continue," Mr Hull said.
"Markets are sort of like a social fabric of the community - people go out, and that's where people meet and talk. I just cannot believe the amount of people who have contacted me wanting to keep this market going."
He said Mr Powell didn't want to make it a competition and his vision would bring "a breath of fresh air".
Mr Powell's new market would be run with heavy input from stallholders and include a committee comprising of several business owners along with Mr Hull.
Any stall previously at Foragers would be given precedence, Mr Powell said, while there would be no discrimination if stallholders wanted to also trade elsewhere.
Mr Powell also wanted to focus on having local musicians play at his events, as well as introducing a singing talent quest.
Foragers founder Kirrily Sinclair said she was surprised to learn a Sydney-based businessman would be behind the operations and it would impact business at her market.
Ms Sinclair said she remained happy with the decision to go monthly as she had intended to build the markets back up over time.
"The community is keen for monthly events which harness a greater variety of stalls and provide a real possibility of finding something unique and wonderful," she said.
"Ultimately we are about giving the community what they desire."
The entity owns the old Bulli Bowling Club, which houses the F45 gym, and wishes to run a Saturday markets on the greens. Wednesday March 20 is the last day council will take submissions on the application.
Mr Hull said if this market went ahead it would conflict with the many other events at the showgrounds - such as music festivals, car shows and the Festival of Wood.