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Cape Town - What was supposed to be an upliftment project for the Salt River community has turned into a nightmare for market organiser Kim van Lingen.
The permit for her market was withdrawn days before the second one was to take place, GroundUp reported on Friday.
Van Lingen is the organiser of the Yew Street Market, which is described as a return to the authentic community street market: “An eclectic mix of a fully fledged farmers and food market, an Artist & Makers Market and a Previously Loved, Vintage Market and Knick Knack Market all rolled into one."
Having had a successful first market on May 30, the Yew Street Market's permit has been withdrawn by the City of Cape Town after receiving a few complaints about things that the organiser says are “on the basis of falsehoods and collusion on the part of a handful of businessmen.”
The complaints that Van Lingen says she knows about include a few businesses and residents saying they were denied access to their buildings; they were denied access to the roads; their children were denied access to the park; and that amplified music was played at the market.
“These complaints are all not true because first of all a whole bunch of stall owners had kids and all the kids were playing in the park and secondly there was no music at all at the market. In fact, it was such a rainy day that Saturday, the musician stood us up.
"I haven't even applied for a music permit. I have a problem getting electricity to the park because it means you have to run a power cable along the road. There are city council regulations on this issue. There is no electricity at the market,” said Van Lingen.
'We don't understand'
Lynne Thomson, one of the stall owners who traded on May 30, sells sausages on a stick. “We don't understand why they are against it because it was such a peaceful market, such a peaceful atmosphere. I find it so strange because the market is just a few hours in the day,” she said.
Van Lingen says prior to having the first Yew Street Market, she had difficulty obtaining a permit. “I make soap and I couldn't find anywhere in Cape Town to trade. I tried getting a hawker’s permit, but you can't get one any more.
"I tried to get on any of Cape Town's markets and I was told by the guy who manages [them] that all the markets are full. So I thought okay, I live here, its dead. Salt River's dead from 15:30. So I thought nothing happens on this street, let's try and put a street market together and so I did.
"I went and I emailed the permits office, told them I didn't know what I was doing, I've never done this before. I asked them to put me in touch with all of the relevant people that I would need to speak to about putting a market together.
"They did. I emailed people and some of them emailed me back, I had site meetings with the traffic cops, they advised me of where the roads would need to be closed, how it would work, and then I applied for a permit.
“On April 14, I submitted the first application for the market. I never heard back from the permit office. On April 21, I eventually got an email back from them after I had sent them a whole string of emails asking what's going on, what do I need to do, talk to me please.
"When she got confirmation that the permit could be issued, Van Lingen said she went to businesses to tell them about the market and road closure. "I also got permission from the City's parks department.
"We have a small park that's very neglected. I said to them if the market takes responsibility for the park, can we fix it, and he said yes.
She said she finally received the permit on the evening of 29 May.
Various complaints
Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Garreth Bloor confirmed that the Yew Street Market's permit had been withdrawn. “Complaints or objections were received from residents and businesses relating to issues such as the market causing an obstruction; access concerns; road closures; and consultation.
"While we are fully supportive of small businesses and entrepreneurs, the City has a responsibility to balance the needs of all users. It is the responsibility of the event organiser to engage with all surrounding businesses and affected parties, which includes residents,” he said.
Bloor said Van Lingen had “consulted a body corporate and from this consultation three objections were sent through to the City. These objections were sent to the event organiser and the City requested that she engage with the three aggrieved parties and provide feedback, which was done.
"Two of the three parties were then supportive of the market. The event organiser was advised that a permit would be issued for one day only, which was for May 30, 2015, in order to assess the level of support for the market,” he said.
Asked whether the Yew Market Street would receive their permit back any time soon, Bloor said, “The City will consider issuing a permit after a proper public engagement process is completed and an amicable resolution has been reached with all interested and affected parties.”
Disappointed
Many have since voiced their disappointment of the issue after the Yew Street Market posted on their Facebook page that there would not be a market taking place this weekend because of the withdrawal of the permit.
Wooden Reel Craft wrote “Not good, sorry to hear. Petition? Any other avenues? I don't think you should accept this...”
Anibal Patisserie wrote, “I was wondering if there is a way in which we could get a formal petition against this on the way, whereby we could get stall-keepers and local Yew Street residents involved in voicing their opinion on this. Sometimes the perceived majority is actually just an influential minority. Too much hard work and energy went into preparation to make the Yew Street Market a success and surely this is but a hurdle.”
The City’s Priya Reddy also commented on the post saying: “The City is not trying to block this initiative for the sake of blocking it. We are very supportive of all initiatives like this that give small businesses a platform on which to sell their wares as it stimulates our economy.
"Of course, we must take into consideration the broader community. We are not interested in having a mudslinging match with any of our residents. Someone from the City will contact you shortly to try and find a way forward that is suitable to all affected parties.”
