Wednesday markets back on track in Whangarei

Leslie A'Court, right, with a helping hand from George Lavich of Fesh Food Collective, has set up Wednesday markets again at the Cobham Oval carpark. Photo / John Stone

A mid-week market has sprung up again in Whangarei after organisers ran into trouble with parking wardens.

Organisers hope the new venue with plenty of free parking will see the community market gain back loyal vendors and customers.

One of the main drivers, Lesley A'Court started the market with George Lavich of the Fresh food Collective with the idea of a place to sell perishable crops such as bok choi and strawberries.

She said it was also a place where new growers could be encouraged and supported. But they struck trouble earlier in the year when they were running the market from the carpark at Chipmunks.

"People were parking in permitted parks and soon they were landed with $40 parking tickets. It didn't take long for us to lose all the customers," Mrs A'Court said.

"We had no customers after three months and I thought it was a lovely place for a community market to assist people interesting in growing produce."

The search for a new location has been successful and from todayand every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 5.30pm the market will be held in the Cobham Oval carpark.

"This site will provide safe access with ample free parking."

Whangarei District Council senior communications adviser Ann Midson said market customers were parking illegally around the previous market site, especially down Railway Lane. People who paid for parking permits in the area were ringing the council on market days advising that someone else had parked in their carpark.

"The operator has been given permission by our parks department to hold the market at the Cobham Oval carpark."

There are a variety of products on offer from the local niche stalls including breads, kombucha, coffee, flowers, kimchi, pickles, plants, honey and avocados.