One of our
caricaturists was asked to redraw a work he had done some 12 months ago. It was
a caricature of a couple and the original was returned with some obvious
damage. It had been ripped apart, and yes the couple sheepishly admitted that
had occurred during a lovers tiff. The good news is that the couple are now
married and the redraw was completed with a friendly warning from the
caricaturist that he didn’t expect to have the drawing returned ever again.
A trader has
asked if Bangkok’s Terminal 21 shopping centre could become an inspiration for
QVM. That centre is themed like an airport terminal complete with staff dressed
as air hostesses, entrances designed like arrival gates, and shopping precincts
dubbed New York, London, Istanbul, and so on. It is all designed to create a
bit of theatre and entertainment. Perhaps QVM could have Aussie themed precincts.
K Shed could become Kakadu or B Shed Barrier Reef…. just thinking out loud.
This has
been suggested before, but a trader insists we need some sort of postal hub at
the market where goods could be packed and despatched as part of a push for
greater customer convenience.
On a similar
theme, this trader says he is getting a positive response from customers by
offering official Australia Post padded bags at his stall. If the customer
wants the goods sent home, he asks them to address the padded bag, he seals it
in front of them, and peels off the tracking number label to give the customer.
He then posts the parcel the next day.
The QVM
Creek only appears at rare intervals but during last Friday evenings deluge an
8ft. wide creek between J Shed and K Shed created a problem for traders
particularly those unlucky enough to have their storage boxes in the way. It
was either roll up your pants and wade in, or wait for the deluge to subside.
Nature just takes control sometimes.
The poor
level of business in the Upper Market over the weekend has some traders
wondering if our calendars are mixed up – “Surely this can’t be 10 days before
Christmas?” But another trader says “Check your books. Unlike food, the two
weeks leading into Christmas are usually quiet in the Upper Market but we can
expect a lift immediately after as people take holidays and tourists hit town.”
Did you get
a hit from German tourists on Sunday? Apparently a cruise ship hit town and
many passengers ventured to our market.
A Canadian
tourist couldn’t believe that she had come all the way from Canada for
Australia’s summer only to find an ice skating rink sponsored by Air Canada at
QVM.
Storage Box
squatters have been spoiling the view in String Bean Alley by indiscriminate
placement of their boxes in public areas but action by QVM staff this weekend to
keep things in order has earned praise from SBA traders.
A comment
from one trader that the CoM endorsement of many of the People’s Panel
recommendations was most welcome (see report here) although adequate customer
and trader parking remains one to watch.