The following article was published in the CBD News and the Trader Bulletin issue 9 over the weekend.
Continuing
market traditions for the next generation
By Malcolm McCullough Queen
Victoria Market Chief Executive Officer
The Queen Victoria Market
community – traders, loyal customers and indeed management, all agree that the
market’s future prosperity should be built on our unique history and the
important role the market has and will continue to play in bringing the people
of Melbourne together.
It’s been evolving to meet
the needs of Melburnians for over 138 years and we all want to see the market
perform that important role long into the future. However, you cannot operate a
21st century marketplace in a 19th century environment.
Continuing the tradition of
market trading in a contemporary city requires necessary upgrades to facilities
and investment in the customer experience to ensure its long term viability.
The challenge with the Queen
Vic Market is that our upgrades need to be done very sensitively and in a way
that protects our heritage buildings and unique market atmosphere. Adding to
this challenge is our commitment to continue trading during renewal works
recognising the reliance that so many have on our market as a regular place to
shop, trade and connect.
It’s a balancing act but we
have to get it right because we know that the most important thing about the
Vic Market is its authenticity and character. It’s the traders, the produce,
the wonderful mix of sights, smells, sounds and tastes that make the market
what it is.
In business terms, it’s our
unique selling proposition. And we’re not about to do anything to compromise
that. Our plans for renewal will result in an even better marketplace,
equipping our traders with the infrastructure they need to be more efficient and
profitable in a contemporary city.
Moving market operations
below ground will give traders access to cool rooms, storage, waste management
facilities and dedicated delivery zones, improving working conditions and
making the site a safer, more pedestrian friendly place for all.
The renewed Queen Vic Market
will be open more often, with more on off er for customers. But it isn’t about
asking traders to work around the clock.
Having a more flexible
marketplace will enable more businesses to trade at the market at different
times, complementing the traditional market offering. We’ll be keeping things
affordable and giving customers more choices.
There will never be a
supermarket at the Vic Market. Nor will be there be sterile, franchised offers.
Our future will be clearly built on family-based small businesses, innovative
start-ups and social enterprise just the way it always has been.
The revitalised market will
be surrounded by great streets and tree-lined spaces with more room for
pedestrians, cyclists and improved access to public transport. There will still
be plenty of car parking but it will be moved below ground so that the current
car park can be transformed to “Market Square” – a 1.5 hectare backyard for all
Melburnians to enjoy.
Through renewal, we will
restore and return the market’s heritage sheds to where they stand today. The
much-loved food halls will be just as they are with only some minor restoration
and renovation works.
The Queen Victoria Market has
an important place in the community and culture of our city and we want this to
continue for the next 138 years. Everything we do is about protecting the
history, people and future of the market and ensuring its legacy lives on for
generations.