Stallholders at Beckley Park Market have protested against its new operator, claiming they have been unfairly dismissed from trading.
However Urban Markets, which has been operating the market since taking over from the Greyhound Club in November, says there have been numerous workplace safety breaches.
Jeremy Williams had been working at the Corio markets for the past 15 years and has recently been banned after he was accused of speeding through the marketplace.
“I’ve been in the markets long enough to know what the rules and regulations are,” Mr Williams said.
“Anything you have done wrong is not up for discussion, there is no way to defend yourself.
“When you defend yourself you are kicked out.”
Since being banned Mr Williams said he has struggled to pay rent, afford food, and was looking to pick up new work.
“Stress levels have gone through the roof to the point where friends have said I should go and get counselling,” he said.
Mr Williams said prior to being banned, his rental stall space increased from $40 to $70.
Eilish De Avalon operated at Beckley Park markets for around four years and said new practices under management were “extra strict”.
Beckley Park Market. Picture: Alan Barber
Ms De Avalon said she had been banned because she drove a vehicle in the market before 1pm.
She said she was not endangering anyone and was unaware of new rules imposed which prevented vehicles from being moved before 1pm.
Father-of-four Rabih Danawi operated a fruit stand at Beckley Park for over a decade and said he has been banned for not having a current forklift licence.
Mr Danawi claims he was immediately banned from the premises and said he felt this was unfair, and he should have had a few more weeks’ notice.
He said around $7000 worth of his produce was sitting in a warehouse and would have to be thrown away.
Felicity Ashman, owner of Urban Markets, said there had been numerous issues since taking over, and she had implemented a number of immediate bans.
“We’ve found that there’s been a really long-running culture of bullying and intimidation since I took over,” Ms Ashman said.
“We’ve made significant changes to improve the health and safety practices and WorkSafe practices.
“We’ve had several serious workplace safety breaches.
“The market was closed last year because it was unsustainable and non-financial for the greyhound club.
“We did have to put the prices up, but we are still pretty much under $50 for most stall holders.”
She said she also requested documentation from a number of stall holders which included food licences, forklift licences and insurance.
Ms Ashman said if stall holders were not able to produce the appropriate documentation they would be asked to leave.
“The market has to operate in a clean, safe environment and it has got to be inclusive to both the customers and the traders,” she said.
“I have a licence to operate the market for the next five years.
“The Beckley Park Management Committee has told (protesters) they would not have a foot to stand on, nor ask us to leave as a result of the improvements we have made in terms of safety.”
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