Closure of markets affect entrepreneurs
We spend so much of our lives indoors and in our homes, but a market helps bring people together.
Local markets lured many residents into the warm sun from their homes, but since lockdown has started this has been a thing of the past.
Greenstone Market and Horwood’s Farm Family Market once sold food, drinks, entertainment, live music, crafts, clothing, accessories and various produce.
Charlene Ciani-Jacobson, an organiser at The Urban Markets, which hosts the markets, said all markets have been closed.
“Markets promote entrepreneurship and create a platform for small businesses to gain exposure and sell items. With the lockdown, they have not had any platform to showcase their goods and services.”
She said entrepreneurs have been severely affected by the closure of markets.
“They are struggling, not all small businesses can start a website or handle online sales. We advertise for them on our website, but they cannot get their products out.”
The role that markets play in the community was also a talking point for the organiser.
“We create an environment where families and communities can get together safely, outside.
“We spend so much of our lives indoors and in our homes, but a market helps bring people together,” said Charlene.
Regardless of the many challenges residents are facing, Charlene’s message to the community was to stay positive.
“Stay safe and try to support the little businesses whenever you can.”
She also encouraged the community to support local markets when they open after lockdown.
