Stallholders concerned over future of Stables market

CONCERN over the future of the Newmarket Stables has spread to the stallholders at the Stables Lifestyle Market, many of whom rely on the market as their only source of income.

Laurence Clark, who has a regular stall at the market on which he relies to make a living, said while they had been told the Newmarket Stables were closing, nothing had been said about the Stables Lifestyle Market. “If they are already working on the cycle track, it doesn’t make sense that we, situated right in the middle, will be left to carry on. It’s common sense that we are part of it and will also be closed down,” he said.

He said he had been told the Stables Lifestyle Market was a heritage site, but that new awnings had recently been put up at the market, which wouldn’t have been done if it was.

“If we are a heritage site and can’t be taken down, then so is the Newmarket Stables – there is a wall to divide the two sections now, but in the past it was one. If we are going to stay, surely the organisers would want to upgrade the market to look presentable to the upmarket sports precinct?” he said.

Clark’s concern was that stallholders were on a month-to-month lease. He said he couldn’t afford to buy new stock for his stall if the future of the market was uncertain.

“I don’t want to fork out thousands on stock if we are going to be told we have one month’s notice to move out. Where would I put all my stock? Also, I am concerned if I am forced to move, that I won’t find another market to trade at, as some markets are not interested in the sort of things I sell. I’m not willing to spend another cent!” he said.

Clark has been trading at the market for five years and said his concern was that if the municipality was going to close the market down, traders wouldn’t be able to stop this.

“We will eventually have to go, it might take months, but we need notice. I’d also like to know if the municipality will relocate us thereafter. Another issue is that if we stay here, when the building starts, the municipality will more than likely dump building rubble in our parking area, which may discourage people from frequenting the market,” he said.

He said if the market was going to stay, he wanted to see something in writing.

In response to queries from Berea Mail on the future of Newmarket Stables, eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa said council resolved to sign a lease agreement with Hoy Park management.

“Our legal team is in the process of drafting the legal documents. The city has been in talks with Newmarket Stables representatives and they will be given a month’s notice to vacate the premises,” she said.

Berea Mail submitted questions regarding the Stables Market, but had received no response at the time of going to print.