Docklands Sunday Market calls time after ten years

Docklands Sunday Markets will wrap up after ten years of serving the local community.

A final twilight Christmas market event will be held on Sunday, December 8.

Market manager Eileen Fiederling said the event had struggled for some time and eventually she was left with no choice but to bring it to a close.

The veteran market promoter said she was grateful to event sponsor MAB Corporation for its ongoing support throughout the history of the markets as well as to the City of Melbourne for its assistance.

“I put my own money into the markets to keep them running as long as I could,” Ms Feiderling said.

“Ultimately I have to think of my stallholders, they’re not just cash cows.”

Ms Fiederling said the number of shops closing across Docklands in the wake of the COVID pandemic had cut into foot traffic.

The City of Melbourne also withdrew support for a farmers’ market it was hoped could accompany the existing Sunday market.

Ms Fiederling says she was told there were concerns a Docklands-based farmers market would cut into the trade of the Queen Victoria Market.

“The death blow came when the City of Melbourne reduced the size of the space we could use and stopped stallholders being able to bring in cars all the way.”

Ms Fiederling said cars had helped sellers move more goods to their stalls and that the vehicles had also provided a buffer on days with strong winds.

“It’s such a shame to see the final market come,” she said.

“Docklands is such a beautiful area, and I believe locals are more ambitious for its use than gets credit.”

Docklands’ free Christmas Market will run from 12pm to 7pm on Sunday, December 8 along the NewQuay Promenade.

Ms Fiederling said she expected a good turnout, with many market stalls already booked. •