The permit for the trading of the Goods Shed Markets is being investigated after committee members from the Collie Heritage and Men’s Shed Group received a new condition stating they could not sell any product within 400 metres of another store selling similar goods.
The market which is held at the Goods Shed and outside in the car park every second Sunday from 8 – 12 has been running as a not-for-profit for roughly 20 years after local Betty Swindell started it.
Councillors approved a permit for the market at the July 19 meeting with condition h in place, which clearly states that “trading is not permitted within 400 metres of an established premise selling similar goods.”
This rule is only for the car park stalls and does not effect the stalls inside the Goods Shed building. Previous to July 19 condition h did not exist.
Shire of Collie director of development services Andrew Dover said at the October 2 council meeting that condition h was applied to their permit due to the objections from the flower shops on Forrest Street, specifically trading on the weekend of Mother’s Day.
Although Mother’s Day was the only day that was pointed out as being problematic, the condition was not put in place with a specific date in mind and was implemented for every fortnight.
The condition also doesn’t just exclude flowers, even though that was the only complaint Mr Dover said was brought forward.
Goods Shed Market member Lorraine Wall said that if this condition goes through it would hurt the market immensely and they “may as well close the doors.”
“It’s not just about the flowers. It’s about everything. If you want to sell your old clothes you can’t because there's clothing stores nearby. If you wanted to sell books you can’t because there’s a news agency nearby. If you wan’t to sell cakes you can’t because there’s a bakery and cafes,” she said.
Councillor Michelle Smith was confused as to why a complaint solely for Mother’s Day would be applied all the time, instead of only on that specific day.
She said market organisers could just put the flower stalls inside on that particular day and didn’t imagine the markets would be causing that much competition among similar traders.
The two florists on Forrest Street are usually closed on Sunday’s with an exception of trading on Mother’s Day.
From speaking with the flower shops on Forrest street the owners of both Collie Florist and Flowers on Forrest told the Mail they had no objection with the markets running every second Sunday.
Flowers on Forrest owner Joelene Stanley said there was a misunderstanding, the problem was never about the market but about the store holder who sells the flowers on Mother’s Day, who is her supplier.
“The only issue I have is my supplier selling flowers 50 metres from my front door on Mother’s Day. My issue is not with the markets at all,” she said.
Ms Stanley said she was “furious” about it as Mother’s Day is one of the most profitable days of the year.
“It’s been going on for two years and the florist before me used to get upset about it every year and I used to work for the other florist up the road who also used to get upset about it, but everyone is too scared to say anything,” Ms Stanley said.
She said it has taken her two years for someone from the shire to contact her regarding the issue.
At the latest council meeting councillors voted unanimously to re-advertise if there were any objections to the market from nearby businesses selling similar goods and to report back to council on Tuesday, October 22.
They also voted for the markets to proceed without condition h for the time being, with an exception of the sale of fresh flowers.
