Thousands sign to save their Sunday market

November 11, 2016

Thousands sign to save their Sunday market

Residents Jill Schroder, Nora Gabriel and Jan O’Connor have been at the past two Takapuna Sunday markets gathering signatures to save their favourite weekend haven. Photo: Madison Reidy

More than 2000 Takapuna market goers have signed a petition to save their market area from council development.

The council-owned Anzac Street car park, home of the Takapuna Sunday Market, is an area of consideration for Auckland’s Panuku Development Plan.

The Panuku Development is a council-controlled organisation working towards redeveloping urban areas to accommodate growing populations.

The plan proposes unlocking the area to create more residential living, cafés, shops and open space for the growing community, similar to the Wynyard Quarter development in central Auckland.

Panuku Project Development director, Clive Fuhr, said there was no question Takapuna is intensifying so the council viewed it as a logical area to develop.

“What’s most important is Takapuna being vibrant seven days a week, not four hours on a Sunday. There are other places the market can work from.”

Listen to Clive Fuhr talk about the future of the market. Audio: Madison Reidy

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member, Jan O’Connor, started the petition and has been at the Takapuna Sunday Market for two weeks asking market goers to sign for its survival.

In a single Sunday morning the petition was signed by 800 people who believe the 256 car park spaces should not be developed.

Ms O’Connor kick started an online version of the petition for supporters who could not attend the market to sign. It has since received more than 600 signatures.

She believes this market upholds her local community.

“So many signatures are from Devonport and Takapuna locals, it’s incredible . . . We just can’t imagine it not being here.”

Deputy chair of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, Grant Gillon, said he would support the petition when it is taken to the Auckland Council.

Mr Gillon believes the market is vital for attracting people to the surrounding businesses.

Panuku Development representative Jessica Curnow said it was not definite that the Takapuna Sunday Market wouldn’t be able to stay in the area if the car park was developed.

“We know it’s such a loved part of the community but it does have a future.”

Multicultural stalls selling arts and crafts, fresh produce and clothing at the 6am to midday Takapuna market attract an average of 9000 people every Sunday.

John Hay has been selling vegetables at the market for the past 15 years and if the market was to go he would miss it.

John Hay with his Sunday Market stall

Stall owner John Hay is not sure where else he and his wife could sell their fresh produce on Sundays. Photo: Madison Reidy

Supporters of the petition have voiced their concern for losing the popular market in numerous online comments.

The market was started by Takapuna resident Patricia Keith and her late husband Frederick 25 years ago.

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