Essenwood Market open until the end of December

the lack of support, my husband and I decided to call it a day. The tenants have formed a co-operative and will run the market.

“This is a way for them to be empowered and learn how a market is run,” she said.

She said for the past four years, her husband had dug into his own pocket to fund the market as they were making a loss.

“We could not dump the traders as we knew they had families and bills to pay, however this now gives them an opportunity to build their brand and business skills.”

For Brown, the biggest challenge was getting residents to attend the market.

She said the market offered reasonable prices, entertainment and food, and that coupled with nature made a perfect environment.

“There has been a lot of negative publicity and many forget the magic that these kinds of markets bring for locals. Everyone deserves to make a living.”

Spokesman Paul Reddy, who has taken over as the interim manager of the market, said foot traffic had increased in the past three weeks.

However, he was still concerned about what might happen to traders after December.

The municipality will put out the market for tender early next year and the future of the tenants is unknown at this stage. “According to council, they want a market on the site. Our only hope is that whoever takes over allows the tenants to stay.” Ward 31 councillor Chris Pappas said he had asked the municipality to reconsider the time frame of the interim agreement. “I have asked for it to be extended until the new contract is signed.”