Frankton Markets set to continue says Cr O’Leary
Frankton Markets will continue to be held following a generous offer of space and funds from former All Black Graham Whiting.
The Frankton Markets are set to continue being held every Saturday after former All Black Graham “Moose” Whiting offered space in his Frankton Hotel on the corner of Commerce and High Streets.
Whiting has also offered up to $15,000 to help refurbish the area in the hotel, according to Councillor Angela O’Leary.
Frankton, where the markets have been held for 27 years, had what was thought to be its final market day last Saturday after retailer Forlongs applied to the Environment Court to close them, concerned at a loss of business.
However, O’Leary said Forlongs was “very favourable” of the new arrangement and had offered to reopen the store’s car park to market goers.
A Facebook page called Save Frankton Markets was opened to support the markets, with one commenter saying “they are an important part of our culture and happy community.”
O’Leary has strongly supported keeping the markets alive.
“I will NOT accept that last Saturday was the last of the Frankton Markets,” she said earlier on her Facebook page. “I vowed that out of this great challenge will come an even greater opportunity and that the Frankton Markets, while down, will not be out.
“The future for the markets is just wonderful,” she said on Thursday, adding that the organiser Vinod Bhikha has mentioned opening a space for unemployed youth to develop products for the market.
“There’s so much history and so many stories down there,” O’Leary said.
“It kind of always reminds me of that programme Cheers, you go where everyone knows your name.
“I love that about our country, that we just come together. There’s no class and society there. It’s people being people and getting together.”
Hamilton resident Julie Hill goes to the markets about four times a year and says they hold good memories for her.
“I can’t imagine Frankton without it,” she said. “It comes alive on that day.
“It’s a real bustling, upbeat, happy atmosphere. There’s kids running around everywhere, happy. It’s nice.”
Hill said she was “rapt” that the markets would be continuing.
“It’s what Frankton’s about,” she said.
