Markets to get new managers

KATINA CURTIS

CHAMBER of Commerce board members will run the Kiama Craft Markets for the next few months after the previous market managers resigned.

Chamber executive officer Alison Correia said the company that had managed the craft markets for at least 10 years, Just Off Broadway, resigned last week.

She understood they would continue to manage the council-run produce markets.

"The board itself, that is, the board members, will be managing the markets certainly for the interim, which will probably be the next couple of months," Ms Correia said.

The board hopes to have found a new market manager by the October markets.

"We don't want to rush it; we want to make sure we get the right people with the right experience," Ms Correia said. "We're looking forward to moving forward, to new directions and new opportunities for everyone."

She had received a number of phone calls from stallholders and other interested parties wanting to know what was going on with the markets.

She also received several inquiries from community groups, which had "heard on the grapevine that they may be able to get positions now".

The Chamber of Commerce reserves two spots in each markets for service groups and two spots for community groups to hold stalls.

"As of (Monday) I have booked in four more community groups for early next year," Ms Correia said.

"Any community group is welcome to put up their hand and join us. Community groups are very important to us and we want to make sure they get their turn."