Fremantle Market 'Bollocks"

Pre-Christmas is usually the time of year that the Markets do a roaring trade. This year many of the stallholders have stated that profits were down by as much as 50% compared to previous years. The heat didn’t help and the lack of effective promotion and advertising also had an effect. Rents have doubled which is an obvious cause but the enforced Thursday opening also incurred significant additional costs. Many people were furious about the wasted time and in some cases loss of perishable stock. Some took advantage of the free time by chatting to other stallholders, reading books and one or two had a little siesta behind the counter. That’s how bad it was and some even confided that the Thursday rent was paid out of pocket.

Management sent out a newsletter suggesting that it would be a good idea if stallholders had a 10% discount on Boxing Day!!! How about a 10% Rent Reduction Day?

I have already said too many times that the market is in a state of decline and everyone is well aware of the mass exodus of long term stallholders and their regular and loyal customer base. I have covered the emotional and financial devastation as well as the covert intimidation and manipulation; stall relocation and down sizing and monthly leasing rather than long term secure leases.

Many times I have been staggered by the perceptions or the spin doctoring of the market management. I have directly quoted many of the written documentations stating outright propaganda.

The Wednesday Farmers market fiasco was there for anyone to witness and yet all the press releases asserted how wonderful and successful they were. I’ll not even bother commenting on it again.

In a recent newsletter the empty stall spaces were described as resting benches for shoppers to sit and chat. Apparently ‘customer feed back’ about the little resting bays was very positive.

I have excerpted a few recent newsletters as I see the irony and marveled at how these people think. They whine about whining, accuse stallholders of bullying and see their victims as ‘troublemakers’ for expressing the truth of what has happened to them and to the market itself. It’s all just a bit perplexing but insulting and callous none the less:


“We have had complaints from customers and from stall holders who have lost customers about the attitudes of some of our merchants who think whining during trading times is going to help trade.

Please concentrate on your own business and if you want to whine and moan please do it when we have closed our doors to the public not when they are trying to enjoy a day out. It is incredible to think merchants assume our customers are remotely interested in negativity.”

“Merchants that continue to read books while trading or fall asleep in front of customers will be asked to explain why they are here. You would be better off staying home and letting us have the space for the traders waiting to get in.”

(Isn't the real question, “Why are traders reading books and falling asleep? Who are these traders “waiting to get in”? Surely those plants and benches could have made room for paying tenants.)

“Never let facts get in the way of a good story!!!
So far we have heard amazing stories from some of our merchants, customers and other news sources concerning… the licenses that were offered, taking away stalls, driving people out.

If you are interested in facts and not bollocks keep reading….

The Fremantle Markets is being constantly bagged by the same stall holders who would have us believe they care about you. If that was the case then why are they trying to destroy the very environment where you trade?

The departure of certain operators means we can finally get on with the business of making The Yard the best place to source quality, local and grower direct produce and WA foods.

It will allow us to open The Yard in March 2010 and then turn our attention to The Hall and begin work in there.
The merchants who will continue to trade in The Yard alongside all the new operators are here to work with us and are committed to our vision for the improvement of the markets.
The new merchants are productive, proactive and professional operators and we welcome them with open arms and thank them for their support through a very long year.”

“The Fremantle Market considers that bullying in the workplace is inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour…

Bullying is unlawful under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996.
The Fremantle market is committed to providing a working environment that is free from bullying…

The conduct sets out principles for behavior required in the workplace, namely that:
Anyone that works or trades within the markets should be treated with respect.
All Stall holders and Management should develop awareness about the impact of their behaviour on others.There is a continual agreement about what is appropriate behavior at work.
The Fremantle Market considers that bullying in the workplace is inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour.
Stall holders or Management found to have either committed or condoned such behaviour in the markets will be subject to immediate disciplinary action.The purpose of this document is to provide an effective means to assist management and stall holders.

DEFINITIONS OF A BULLY:
A bully is a person who uses strength or power to coerce others by fear. To bully is to oppress, persecute, physically or morally by threat of superior force.
It is anyone who uses their position in power or strength of personality to misuse their authority against stall holders and management.While bullying is normally associated with unequal power relationships, peer to peer bullying is not uncommon and is equally unacceptable behaviour at the Fremantle Markets.
A variety of behaviours and acts may constitute bullying which create a negative workplace”

(Ah, that’s too funny. I believe you can pick up an official complaints form from the management. Good luck with that)

“Another form of despicable behaviour which seems to go unchecked is the constant running down of the Fremantle Markets and in particular FMPL and its staff to customers…Real customers are not interested…

(Do you think? I think Real Customers are very interested in what is happening to THEIR market and indeed are asking why the vibrant, friendly community feel is missing or why their regular people are missing – Seems management doesn’t know where they are. I have had a number of people contact me to ask about stallholders who are missing after calling the markets and being told that they have no contact for those X tenants!!!)

“The attempt by a minority in trying to destroying the reputation of the Fremantle Markets has and will continue to affect your business’s turnover.
There is a wonderful saying that a stall holder reminded me of the other day.
DON”T P… IN YOUR OWN POT… I think that sums it up nicely.”

(That minority are your own tenants, the Fremantle community and the media. Couldn’t possibly be ‘Your actions’ that are destroying that/what reputation.)