Reactivating Lismore with markets

The eerie space that is the centre of Lismore following the floods is about to receive a boost with two of its largest markets coming to Lismore’s CBD to help reactivate local economy and sense of community. 

The Lismore Car Boot Market and Channon Craft Market will commence in Lismore on Sunday, 5 June. There will be three Sunday markets each month at a new Pop-up Precinct in the CBD, with opportunities for local flood-affected businesses to trade. The Channon Craft Market will follow on Sunday, 12 June, and then the Car Boot Market again on 19 June.

The Lismore Pop-Up Precinct, to be known as Our Place, is being established at the Harold Fredericks carpark, on the corner of Dawson and Magellan Streets. Along with pop-up businesses and the upcoming Sunday markets, the Precinct features the Community Access Point operated by Resilience NSW, along with Service NSW and Services Australia with additional agencies to be announced soon.  

‘It’s very exciting to see the markets coming back to the heart of the CBD. Community connection is so important for our community well being and there has been significant interest from businesses who want to be part of it,’ Councillor Elly Bird told The Echo. ‘Economic recovery depends on people supporting local businesses at every opportunity and this is a great way to do that. The return and reimagining of markets in our community is a welcome sign that we are moving forward in recovery. We have a long road ahead but we will get there if we walk together.’

Lismore Car Boot Market Manager Marny Bonner remembers all too well the healing power of markets. 

‘The first market after the April 2017 flood played such a vital role in community healing,’ she said. ‘It provided a sense of things getting back to normal and really boosted everyone’s spirits.’

The Channon Craft Market will be held at the Lismore’s Pop-Up Precinct until repairs to its regular venue and access roads are completed.

The Channon Market Manager Robyn Kelly said she was excited by the temporary move to the Lismore CBD.

‘Reactivating our area’s two iconic markets, in partnership with CBD businesses, will bring cash, culture and community together in the heart once again. We are all working together to make this happen and for it to be as easy as possible for traders to get back to doing what they do best,’ she said. 

Welcoming the initiative Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ellen Kronen said that ‘Bringing everyone together in a central trading precinct is an inspiring initiative, not only to kick-start our economy, but also create a vibrant and welcoming meeting place for community.

Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker said, ‘The Our Place: Lismore Pop-Up will help revitalise Lismore by helping flood-affected businesses to trade, allowing the community to access support services and creating a space in the middle of the CBD for the community to come together’