Ousted market operator seeks answers

A LOCAL trader says she has been left out in the cold after the Hobart City Council decided that hiring out City Hall for her quarterly clothing market was against council policy.

Overdressed Market organiser Susannah Slatter had previously held her “preloved women’s fashion” event at City Hall in September, attracting more than 100 stall holders and almost 700 shoppers.

However, in a recent email to Ms Slatter a council officer said: “Unfortunately I am unable to accept your booking as the nature [of] the proposed use is contrary to the council’s policy, which does not support the hire of its venues for the sale of the type of goods which are available within the city”.

The email further said: “The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Council does not impact the interests of rateable commercial businesses within Hobart, through the hire of its venues.”

Ms Slatter is confused as to why she is suddenly now considered in competition with city businesses, “because I was advised that the policy hasn’t changed”.

She said her application to hire the premises specifically stated that her market was for preloved clothing which she did not deem to be in competition with retail stores in the CBD selling new clothes.

“As far as being in competition with charity stores, I have had a lot of correspondence with all of them to say I’d love for them to be involved,” she said.

Ms Slatter said the future of her market was uncertain because it had outgrown its previous location at the Masonic Temple in Sandy Bay.

“I need a large, central space where I can charge [stall holders] a reasonable amount to cover all of the promotion costs that are associated with running a successful event.”

Ms Slatter said the council’s decision was especially baffling because other markets such as Makers Market, Baby and Kids Market and the Hobart Collectors Antique Fair were allowed to hire the venue.

“I would like to know the full story and I don’t think it’s being given to me,” she said.

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has offered Ms Slatter the hire of the Goods Shed.

The Hobart council was contacted for further comment.