Lanie Loughlin, Assistant Manager, Byron Markets.
It was so frustrating to read your story MP Cusack attacks community centre and councillor.
This story was not only overcomplicated, further blurring the issues; it was excessively negative and obscured what is really going on at the Markets.
Corroding confidence in markets management reduces the appeal of the markets for the whole community; the constant controversy brought on by the conspiracy theories of a small faction within the market, is worrying for the majority of marketeers and staff. It repels customers, stallholders sales are reduced and for staff the appeal of working at the markets is lost
I have been with Byron Markets for one year in the role of Assistant Manager. I am part of a small team of deeply dedicated, hardworking, community-minded individuals who manage the markets. It saddens and angers me to say that during this time I have put up with more bad behaviour from a small number of stallholders than I have in my entire 16 year management career to date.
Market management work hard to build confidence and improve the image of the Community Market, to revitalize the market, create an enjoyable positive atmosphere and attract customers!
- We are constantly improving – in the past eight months alone, as well as delivering 10 Community markets, 23 Artisan Markets and two Beachside Markets we have made the following improvements:
- Internal management restructures to allow managers to give more individual attention to individual markets.
- Rebrand of all three markets with beautiful new bespoke designs;
- Transition to online stall manager booking and payment system for all three markets;
- Purchase of $5k worth of new Quick Shades;
- New toilet rolls holders and soap dispensers.
In relation to the suspension of the individual stallholder, I believe this has had way too much air time already. I applaud the Byron Community Centre Management Committee for their commitment to providing a safe workplace for staff and stallholders. I am particularly grateful for the dedication and support of Paul Spooner and Jason Arthurton for their hands on leadership in this regard. We have a zero tolerance policy to intimidating aggressive behaviour at the markets. I hope the stallholder involved takes some time to reflect on how they impact those around them say sorry.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
