The Glebe Markets are still open, just under a different name
Image: Stallholder at The Glebe Markets selling pottery. Photo: Facebook/The Glebe Markets.
By HENRIQUE MONTEIRO
Confusion over the fate of the Glebe Markets has resurfaced after the previous operators have continued to inform the public the markets are closed, despite a new company taking up operations.
An Instagram post from the official Glebe Markets website with a banner stating ‘Glebe Markets is Closed’ was put up just five days ago, despite assurances from the Department of Education and local politicians that the markets would continue.
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The previous official Glebe Markets website also features messaging saying that the markets are shut.
However, under new management, markets have been held at Glebe Public School each Saturday since March 11.
Trademarked name not purchased by new owners
City Hub has uncovered that the confusion stems from the trademarked name of the markets, which the new operators have not purchased.
The new markets running at the Glebe Public School are not directly connected to the Glebe Markets. They are a new market on the same land with a similar name.
The new operation is called ‘Markets at Glebe Public School’, as the operators have not purchased the trademarked name ‘Glebe Markets’ which still belongs to the previous owners, David and Naomie McCumstie.
“Glebe markets is a business and a trademark, not a location,” David McCumstie told City Hub.
“We offered this trademark business to the current operators, but they chose, for whatever reason, not to purchase it.”
The Glebe Markets were owned and run by Just Off Broadway Pty Ltd, a company that belongs to the McCumstie family. The Glebe Markets ran at Glebe Public School for 32 years during successive leases of the land from the NSW Department of Education every 5 years.
Earlier this year David and Naomi McCumstie decided to retire and put the trademarked business up for sale. The Department of Education and local politicians were quick to express that they had no intention of shutting the markets down, and would search to find a new operator to run the popular markets.
Organic Food Markets put their hand up to run the markets in late February, reopening for business on the ground of Glebe Public School on March 11 under the new name ‘The Markets at Glebe’.
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As Organic Food Markets have not bought the trademarked name, they cannot legally use it.
When asked about this potentially confusing situation, David said that the new operator is “a very smart businessmen and he knows exactly he is going.”
Organic Food Markets confirmed that they do not intend to purchase the trademarked name.
“We are not buying that name and we are using Markets at Glebe Public School, as instructed,” a spokesperson said.
Stallholders say markets well below previous capacity
Tony Jackson, a stallholder at the Glebe Markets for over 30 years said that the markets are running differently under the new operators. Jackson said the new markets are “looking very empty” compared to before.
“They’ve been open three weeks with the new caretakers. And it’s just got worse and worse. We’ve lost about 150 stallholders. It’s looking very empty,” Jackson said.
“David used a system where you organise the whole market a month before. Now what Organics do is you just arrive on the day and just hope that you get a spot. So it’s just pandemonium.”
Stallholders have noticed a significant increase in the price of stalls, as well as insurance.
“They have put up the prices of tables that you can rent by double and then charge them another $20 for insurance for the day. So they’re also getting really expensive.
“Everyone at the market doesn’t know what to do. It is a crossroad. Within a month, you know, we’re just not making anything and we got to be looking at reality. We can’t afford to stay.”
Currently, The Markets at Glebe are happening every Saturday at Glebe Public School. Stalls can be booked through the new website at www.themarketsatglebe.com.
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