String
Bean Alley reassessment. Now that 12 additional containers are coming to SBA we
can expect a reassessment of rents and trading hours. Five day trading is on
the cards and new rents will reflect that. Apparently discussions have started
with current SBA traders and Expressions Of Interest for new containers are
expected to follow.
Ups
and downs of trading - some record breaking stories have come out this week,
although they are usually the sort of records you don’t want to break. But with
a positive spin, two traders have reported that their sales on super hot Sunday
had exceeded their Night Market sales before lunchtime. Another had almost
reached his total takings for Thursday, Friday, Saturday before noon on Sunday.
A
few traders are pleased to see the follow through on complaints about the
temporary toilets at the top of SBA. This week’s trader bulletin noted that
works are to commence on the block from Monday 4th February.
Graffiti
- after the nightclub on Queen St. closed the graffiti count around our market
dropped but recently it has shown a resurgence with two instances appearing
overnight Saturday. Guru Pete has had to call in the specialists. Graffiti is a
bit beyond bucket and mop.
A
trader has noticed that the weather station in K Shed has disappeared. The
equipment was to record weather variations in K Shed as part of a study of
trader/customer comfort levels. He suggested that perhaps it had melted away.
Traders
getting together – a trader has suggested that once String Bean Alley is
complete, it would be a good opportunity for tenants to get together and start
creating some marketing impetus of their own.
Consolidation
of stalls – apparently management are seriously looking at the issue (see “Its Time” article ) but rather than wholesale changes to our aisles they are
looking at vacant areas such as in A Shed and C Shed that might be roped off
for other purposes.
A
couple of traders have expressed concern about the current pressures on
traders. With January/February takings apparently reaching an all time low,
some traders may be entering a danger zone of monetary and emotional stress.
Maybe a good time to ask “Are You OK?” There are options for traders including
consulting with Small Business Mentors - Call or email Katya at the Trader Lounge to discuss further,
via 1300 631 171 or qvm@sbms.org.au