-Traders at Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market fear a drop in shoppers is
threatening the viability of the iconic Market. Poor parking and access and
increased competition is being blamed for the downturn. Margaret Dekker has
more.
- (trader on screen spruiking) “here $4 mushroom"
-Margaret Dekker: "They've been spruiking at Queen Victoria Market
now for 134 years.”
-Robert Melasecca ( Market goer / trader?) "They're actually not
talking about the fruit half the time, they're actually making jokes about the
people".
-Margaret Dekker: "But jokes aside, times are changing with claims
shopper patronage is plummeting".
-(Market Trader - Fruit and Veg) “Oh, during the week sometimes it's not
even worth opening.”
-Margaret Dekker: " Cynthia Wellings has been shopping here for
over a decade."
-Cynthia Wellings (Shopper): " I think numbers are dwindling here,
I don't think it's well enough advertised".
-(Another Shopper): "Yeah, it's unfortunate because I do think
people are going to the supermarket a bit too much"
-Margaret Dekker: " Traders say there's no denying business is
down, for some by up to 30%"
-Frankie Fontana (Trader - Fruit and Veg): "Parking's a main issue,
you know, people used to come here, you save $20 on shopping, but now you're
spending $30 on parking, so and then if you park and stay overtime you're going
to get booked".
-Margaret Dekker: "In a statement the City of Melbourne said there
have been no changes to parking restrictions, tariffs or patrols around the
Market, and Council is committed to the Vic Market's future.
-Michael Presser (Vic Market Advisory Group): "Taking into account
what's happening in retail all over Australia, we're probably faring better
than some."
-Greg Smith (Trader. - GMT): " It fluctuates, yes always has, for
33 years it has, we've been through tough times here in the past"
-"Margaret Dekker 7 News".Thanks for the transcript Ivano. - Ed
COMMENTS:
30/6/2012 2149hrs - "The maximum fee for parking at the market is $25 for a whole day, so traders stating that it costs $30 to park at the market is not going to help our cause." Drita Mclennan
