Bluff flea market to make long awaited return

RESIDENTS of the Bluff will be happy to learn that the former Dutch Club flea market (now the Bluff flea market) will be returning, much to local traders and shoppers’ delight.

The department of Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit has confirmed that as from the Saturday 3 April, the flea market will be up and running after having to shut down due to lease issues in August last year.

In a meeting chaired by representatives of the department, the Bluff Ratepayers Association (BRA), Bluff Community Policing Forum (CPF), the Bluff flea market committee as well as ward 66 councillor Zoe Solomon, the future and public concerns surrounding the flea market were addressed.

Sipho Muthwa, markets manager for the department of Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, clarified that an investigation launched into the property of the former Dutch Club revealed that the property belonged to the real estate department of the municipality.

“I approached the real estate and we were informed that those that were leasing the property, were in breach of their lease agreement and were in the eviction process. It was decided that the lease would therefore be terminated, hence the subsequent closure of the flea market. The real estate then handed over property to our department. It was only then that we were in a position to discuss issues regarding that property and concerns of the traders with the then councillor, JP Prinsloo. But prior to that, it was the real estate that was in charge,” said Muthwa.

He said that arrangements for the flea market to commence at the beginning of April are underway. He explained that the department was busy with the registration of the traders who are required to pay three months in advance for their permits. This is paid to the city. An additional management fee is paid to the committee towards running costs of the market.

“We are also in the process of clearing the site that is; cutting the grass, trimming the trees and planning the re-connection of water on site. Should there be an issue about water, that will mean that toilet cannot be used and therefore we have arranged that there be portable water as well as portable toilets to be utilised in the area. Because there is only one security guard, on the day of the flea market, we will add another security guard to ensure that the area is more secured.”

Issues of litter, pollution, the problematic sewage connection at the premises and the need for police patrolling were a shared concern for all parties present. Muthwa assured that measures would be taken to address this and that the goal to revamp the property would need to be approached as a unit by all relevant members and departments.

“For the first three months the market will be managed by the city in preparation for the committee to take over,” added Muthwa.

Duncan Du Bois of the BRA highlighted the need to reassess the usage of the Dutch Club building into something that would be more meaningful by the community such as converting it into a civic centre. Andy

Rossel of the CPF highlighted the need for traffic and parking control during the Saturday market. Muthwa also went into detail regarding the presence of another market in close proximity of the former Dutch Club.

“At the time of our investigation there was also an application to have a flea market at Harlequins. We gave that committee all that is needed for them to operate it at the premises. However, it was revealed that in a meeting with Prinsloo that traders from the former Dutch Club were not happy to be moved to Harlequins. They wanted their flea market remain at its current location, however at that time the club was still under investigation. It is only now that we can have negotiations with the trader’s committee, which is independent from the former owners of the Dutch Club. The Harlequins flea market will continue running on its own and we have no issues with that.”

Bluff flea market executive committee member, Neethi Chetty assured that the flea market would be run properly and encouraged community support at its upcoming re-opening.

“The committee is formed by the traders. Many of our traders are dependent on this market as it is their sole income. We ask that the community come out in their numbers in support of this initiative. All Covid-19 protocols will be observed.”

Solomon who shared that she has liaised with both flea market committees as well as the community said: “Both markets are completely different and offer a different experience to the community. I understand traders’ concerns of community support but competition does not have to be negative. It can be a healthy thing. I think there should be a marriage of minds on this matter. The former Dutch Club flea market has been around for about 15 years. It is being reinstated, because it has a right to be there. The city has answered the community’s call by putting everything in place. Its on us as a community to make sure that we work together going forward.”

For any trade inquiries or more information on the Bluff flea market send an email to info@theblufffleamarket.co.za  

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