How about a night market for summer evenings?

IT'S VINTAGE Weekend in Whanganui, and what will undoubtedly be another successful event for the region is taking over the town.

It's not an inappropriate time to think about what other ventures might work for Whanganui.

How about a night market?

Vendor stalls offering a variety of food to be eaten in the open air on balmy summer nights - what's not to like.

There is already plenty of evidence people like the market concept here. Whanganui already has a Saturday market by the river which is very popular, and the Castlecliff market, and now the really, really free koha market at Paikatore has added to the city's attractions.

Auckland and other cities around the country already have night markets offering food, often Asian, retail stalls and entertainment a couple of nights a week. And the company that runs the Night Noodle Markets, much-loved across Australia, are launching a New Zealand event in Christchurch this summer.

A night market at some spot along Taupo Quay/Somme Parade might be best. We need to make much more of our riverside setting. As someone pointed out in the newsroom recently, so few of our hospitality businesses actually front the river. However, Castlecliff and the beach is another possible site.

Setting up stalls, or food trucks on a smaller scale for a night market might suit budding entrepreneurs in the city as well as established restaurants and cafes.

The main event has to be food of course but Whanganui also has a wealth of entertainers who would add a great deal to the atmosphere.

A market might only work in summer, and for one or two nights a week but that would be enough to start.