Dear Stallholder,
The market has had a turbulent year, not only with the changes within SHFA but also as a result of global financial pressures. 2011 has seen Stallholders of the Rocks Market fight for their voice to be heard, resulting in the formation of our legally recognised association. The executive had represented the stallholders in a series of meetings with SHFA since August who have acknowledged the damage done over the past 4 years and have begun to implement changes to rectify this damage. Some of the achievements in this short space of time are:
- The removal of short term contracts (3 and 6 months).
- The removal of the yearly reapplication process for regular stallholders and a yearly renewal process in its place. This means no more yearly stall assessment by outside consultants.
- Market managers visible and approachable in the market place every weekend.
- Re-established regular meetings, and a good working relationship, between SHFA management and your voice, the stallholder association.
- The review of the SHFA consultation and communication policy.
- Established bi-annual stallholder meetings, where individual stallholders can meet and speak directly to SHFA management.
- Holiday leave system changes to make leave more accessible to all, as outlined by Penny Daw in the recent stallholder meeting.
- Canopy to be erected on public holiday trading days as per demand, eg 24th, 26th & 27th December.
- Established a direct relationship, with regular meetings, between SHFA marketing department and the stallholder association.
- A dedicated Christmas Flyer for the Rocks Market, showing products from the market, circulated to CBD Hotels and handed out at city railway stations prior to Christmas.
- Working with SHFA to achieve better cleanliness in the market place.
- Working with SHFA to improve maintenance of market furniture and infrastructure.
- The re-introduction of Roving Entertainment both Saturday and Sunday within the market place from the beginning of November 2011 through to the end of January 2012, when it will be reviewed.
- Establishing a website for the association, with thanks to Isaac Savariero, www.trmsba.org.au If you are not an association member, please visit the website listed above for an application form.
- Strenghtening of the relationship with the Rocks Chamber of Commerce, with John Colquhoun attending their executive meetings as the Rocks Market Stallholder representative.
In addition to this list there are a number of other projects the association is working on with SHFA, including another marketing opportunity coming up in the new year. Although we are still some way from repairing all the damage incurred over the past 4 years, I believe the achievements of the last 4 months are a solid foundation for rebuilding a great market. I would like to acknowledge the new SHFA management team, James Smart, Paul Robinson, Ian Kelly and Penny Daw for their refreshingly direct, open, honest and transparent communication and decision making. I hope that in 2012 we are able to build positively on this new partnership, working towards making the Rocks Market Sydney’s premium market.
I would like to thank the executive committee members, John Colquhoun, Mary O’Shea, Beverley Reynolds, Sheila Webster, Peter Stephenson and Lesley Chaston, without whom none of the achievements above would have been possible. I would like to also thank you the stallholders of the Rocks Market, who fought so hard to retain ‘your voice’ which led to the formation and recognition of TRMSBA.
On behalf of The Rocks Market Small Business Association I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Kind Regards
Nicole Kennedy
TRMSBA President