RENTALS at Dandenong Market are outstripping those at other major Melbourne markets, general merchandise traders say.
Pacha Noori, who has sold sports shoes at the market for 22 years, said he paid less monthly rent for a stall triple the size at Queen Victoria Market.
Mr Noori pays $2600 a month for a 33-square-metre stall at Dandenong and less than $2500 for a 90-square-metre lodging at Queen Victoria. His Queen Victoria Market stall is open five days a week; Dandenong Market is open three days.
“Besides, we’re just not getting enough people to the market.
“We do a lot better at Queen Victoria — there’s more interstate and international visitors. They get 40,000 people on average for their night markets. You’d expect the rent to be much higher there.”
Scott Watson, a card-seller who is leading traders’ petition for reduced rents, said he paid almost half the rental rate for three tables at Caribbean Gardens in Knox.
Mr Watson said he made less than $6000 at Dandenong last year. His twice-weekly stall at Caribbean Gardens pulled about $25,000 profit.
Market chairwoman Julie Busch said the board would seek extra trading days at the market in its yet-to-be-completed strategic plan — which also has to be endorsed by the council.
She told the Journal there was “no significant difference” in rents paid at Dandenong Market and major markets such as Queen Victoria, South Melbourne, Prahran and Preston.
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