Frequently Asked Questions
We hope you can find the answer to your question here. If you don't, please email us. You may want to see the
Quick Guide for Traders that covers all the markets and stall fees and can be easily printed off.
What is a permanent or casual trader?
We have two types of traders at our markets. The market rules (which can be reviewed in detail on our booking page) explain the differences in detail but basically Permanents enjoy lower rents, can enter the market earlier and keep the same spot,, but have to keep their rent two weeks in advance and cannot miss markets, rain or shine. Casuals come by the week, enter the market later, pay a higher rent in advance and are placed to suit the day.
Food traders coming to our markets must be willing to give it a three month run. You have to give anything a fair go; every business takes time to grow; you have to build strong customer relations.
Do I need any special equipment?
Good presentation is essential. You must bring tables, with table cloths to go down to the floor on all sides, and some form of shade cover. We recommend a gazebo. They are mandatory for all food vendors, and at Leichhardt, Hornsby, Kings Cross, gazeebos are required by the council.
AT HORNSBY YOU MUST USE A GAZEBO THAT WE SUPPLY FOR $340 UNLESS YOU HAVE A SATISFACTORY ENGINEERS REPORT ON THE GAZEBO YOU WISH TO USE. YOU MUST WEIGH EACH LEG WITH 20 KILOS At Hornsby you must use a gazeebo that we can supply, (for $340) unless you have an engineers report on the particular Gazeebo you wish to use. You must weigh each leg of the gazeebo with 20kilos.
What time should I arrive and when do the markets finish?
You should look at our Quick Guide for Traders for start times. The start times shown are for traders, they are not the times advertised for the market opening for customers. Permanent traders must claim their pitch within the first half hour.
The addresses of the markets can also be found on the Quick Guide For Traders.
NO EARLY PACK UP OR CAR MOVEMENTS ARE ALLOWED
What are your stall fees?
The fees for a standard stall at each market can be found on the Quick Guide For Traders. In addition:
At Hornsby you are required to pay for a Mall Access Permit (covers three months) the first time you attend.
At Bondi Junction tables can be hired at $5 per 180 x 80 cm per table.
What is the standard stall size?
3 by 3 meters in most cases, but at Bondi Junction we have a straight trading line, with each seller able to take one table up to 2 by 1 meters. Bring everything you will need including tables, covers, etc. Don't forget, Bondi Junction is a covered venue but a wise trader would bring clear plastic sheeting to cover their table in the event of rain.
Rain Policy
All the markets trade rain or shine. Normally it does not rain for the whole of a market day in Sydney. Permanents are obliged to pay for their stall space in any event, as they are given the lower Permanent traders rental rate all year to cover an occasional bad weather day.
Electricity
Using electricity for heating, such as when cooking, puts heavy loads on existing electric circuits and cannot take place at the markets. We strongly advise the use of bottled gas for cooking and heating water. Electricity is only available with the express prior consent of the market manager and may only be used for the purpose approved, e.g. you cannot run a bain-marie if we have said you can power a fridge. At St Ives there is a flat charge of $20 to make one connection. Elsewhere, there is a flat charge of $10 to make one connection. We do not provide leads or otherwise handle connections to power. You may only connect to our power points using a power lead that has been certified and tagged in accordance with Work Cover requirements. You will be asked to remove any leads that are not tagged. The safety of the stringing of power cords is your responsibility. If they pass through any open areas they must be strung high in the air or covered with a safety mat. You must implement any instructions the market manager gives you concerning safety of such wires. Power boards with circuit breakers must be used between your equipment and the power source. Power supply is NOT guaranteed. We accept no responsibility for interruptions in power supply. If security of your supply is critical, you should bring your own generator, or use gas.
Insurance
You can obtain immediate stall holder cover over the internet from netinsure for $255. This INCLUDES product liability cover for food vendors.
If you don't have internet access, phone Russell Chegwyn at netinsure on 9604 6166.
We are happy to accept cover with from other companies but only if they are authorised to do business in Australia.
If you come to one of our markets and you are not able to demonstrate that you have cover you will be charged $20 and placed on a one-day cover.
If you are only handling craft items you can get a really good deal from Victorian Woodworkers 03 9889 3105.
If you are a busker you can try Duck For Cover on 0500 850 850.
What about food regulations?
You must visit NSW Food Authority and follow the link to "Notify a Food Business". You have to register each market you attend.
All local authorities will expect you to comply with health regulations and you can phone your own local authority and ask for a copy of the National Code for Temporary Food Premises. Leichhardt Council require prior registration. Phone 9367 9066 and ask for the Environmental Health Officer.
Some food requires to be kept at under 5 degrees when in storage. Every esky you keep this sort of food in, should have a thermometer kept permanently inside it.
We have two hand outs for stallholders to help them comply with the NSW Food Regulations. Download them, read them, and implement them:
In August 2006, the NSW Food Authority have published a guide for people participating in markets. You can download a copy from their website.
Parking
Normally you can park on site, and often a trading pitch will be available behind which you can park your vehicle. No parking on site is available at Hornsby, Bondi Junction or Kings Cross. Multi story parking is available at all Mall locations and we have negotiated special low cost deals for standard vehicles at the last two sites.
Disabled Access
Disabled access is available at all venues.