Flower Market Circular, Edition 44 – 8 September 2016
In today’s Flower Market Circular, we celebrate our first birthday at the Epping Market, share the results of the night Market survey and the conversation on Market trading hours continues.
Melbourne Market celebrates its first birthday
On 31 August 2015, the Melbourne Market began trading for the first time. Congratulations to everyone for making it happen!
To celebrate our first birthday, 1000 cupcakes were distributed throughout the Market for everyone to enjoy.
Spring clean
As the weather warms up, we welcome a range of fresh spring flowers, barbecues across Melbourne start to fire up and the Market becomes busier as we head towards Spring racing and the wedding season.
It’s important we keep the Market not only looking great, but also free from hazards by keeping your licence area clean by sweeping and removing all small waste such as packaging and flowers, then place in the appropriate bin.
Any waste left on your stand at the end of the day will be removed by the MMA at the cost of the licensee.
For further detail, refer to your licence agreement.
Proposed night Market trial – survey results
Following the suggestion from the Flower Market Advisory Committee, the MMA recently surveyed flower Market stand holders and florists on their views about a Friday night market trial on 23 September from 9:00pm to 11:30pm.
36 stand holders responded to the survey with 50 per cent stating they would not trade at a night Market trial and a further 8 per cent listed as unsure. Reasons cited for not participating in the trial include inconvenience as well as difficultly or lack of resources in managing the farm during the day and selling in the evening.
47 flower buyers also responded to the survey with similar results. 49 per cent of flower buyers stated they would not attend the night market trial and a further 8 per cent were unsure. The flower buyers cited several reasons for not wanting to attend a night market, however the overwhelming response was returning to their shops close to midnight posed a safety risk or those based within shopping plazas would not be able to return to their shops at all. In addition to this, feedback also included Friday night being too late for Saturday events (e.g. weddings) as flowers are usually prepped on Friday during the day.
At this stage, the MMA feels there is insufficient support from both stand holders and buyers to proceed with a night Market trial.
Please continue to offer suggestions to the MMA on improvements to the Flower Market.
Expression of Interest for the Wireless network
Since opening in August 2015, Wi-Fi in the Market has been available free to all Market Users. The free trial period will be concluding on 30 September, 2016.
If you still need Wi-Fi in the Market, you can submit an expression of interest application. The MMA has plans available for small, medium and large data usage.
If you would more information on Wi-Fi packages available or to discuss your business data needs contact the MMA on 9258 6100 emailsubmissions@melbournemarket.com.au.
Market Trading hours – what’s next?
In the coming weeks, a survey will be sent out to all business principals and nominees asking for their views on Market trading hours.
It’s important we hear from all user groups within the Market, so make your opinion count! The survey will be sent via email with only one vote per business permitted. If you know a business principal or nominee who is not receiving emails from the MMA, please encourage them to subscribe by contacting the MMA on 9258 6100.
You can also submit your feedback on Market trading hours directly to McKinna et al who are currently consolidating all feedback.
Call McKinna et al on 9696 1966 or email strategicinsights@mckinna.com.au alternatively you can talk with your Advisory Committee members.
Ask the MMA
If you’ve got a question or suggestion for the MMA email it tosubmissions@melbournemarket.com.au.