By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
STRUGGLING traders at Dandenong Market say they are poised to strike unless the market’s management reduces its “unaffordable” rates.
Scott Webster, whose family has owned a greeting card stall at the market for 33 years, said that since the market’s $26 million renovations, his rent had doubled and customer traffic had slowed to a crawl.
He is several months in rent arrears – about $3000 – but with a daily turnover as low as $60, is in no position to pay. He knows of another stallholder up to $12,000 behind in rent.
Greater Dandenong Council has forecast a $1.9 million profit from the council-owned market in 2012-13.
At a fiery meeting between more than 100 general merchandise traders and Kerry Lodge, market general manager of the market’s manager Savills, Mr Webster was supported by loud cheers when he suggested traders should withhold rent payments.
He said traders at the 147-year-old market could not compete with nearby bargain chains such as Dimmeys.
“At the moment, I’m not withholding my rent. I just can’t afford to pay it,” he later told the Journal.
“I hope we don’t get to the stage of deliberately doing it just to get their attention.”
He said he was also prepared to join several dismayed traders planning a strike and placard protest at the market on a Tuesday.
“So many people are struggling. The crowds are a third of what they were 10 years ago,” Mr Webster said.
Several despairing traders, who own stalls in several markets, believe the market rents are higher than Queen Victoria Market, and the highest rate in Melbourne.
“We pay more per square metre in rent than Chadstone [shopping centre],” Mr Webster said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Ms Lodge, ringed by security guards, acknowledged there were doubts among traders about the market’s 21,000 average daily attendance figures.
Mr Webster estimated about 3000 visitors ambled through last Tuesday — the market’s slowest day of the week.
Ms Lodge said the board was willing to meet individually with aggrieved traders, who must supply their “financials” and a business and marketing plan, but not discuss cases in a general forum.
The board’s chairwoman Julie Busch ruled out a mass meeting, opting instead for workshops for up to 20 traders.
She said the new board would release a strategic vision before July, to boost customer numbers “which is in the interest of all parties”.
“There’s a lot of work to be done. The more people work together and are focused on the same outcome, the better. All businesses go through evolutionary change and we’re in a position of great opportunity to grow.”
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