Source : Perth Now news
Vibrant small businesses and mobile food vendors in Fremantle are getting a chance to shine as the city voted to update its seasonal and temporary trading rules.
Councillors unanimously adopted the new policy at last week’s meeting, aiming to activate public areas and allow emerging businesses to test the Fremantle market.
Seasonal trading and mobile food vendor programs will be combined under the new policy to make it more consistent, with permits available at several new sites across Fremantle.
Saunas will also be removed from the new seasonal trading policy due to energy constraints and requiring longer-term certainty to be effective. However, city officers noted this could see a long-term sauna opportunity at South Beach instead.
Cr Jemima Williamson-Wong said it was important to ensure the “bricks and mortar” existing businesses and residents were not negatively impacted by temporary traders.
“I think it could be a useful tool in terms of vacancy within our CBD or elsewhere in how we might activate the streetscape or public land that surrounds those spaces with some seasonal trading opportunities,” she said.
“We need to make sure there’s a clear balance between the bricks and mortar businesses that put a lot of financial investment into having a fully-fledged brick and mortar business, in comparison to those who might be starting or seasonal traders.”
The city opened the proposal for public comment in April, receiving 102 formal submissions.
Of the respondents, 59 per cent considered the previous seasonal trading program very effective or somewhat effective.
There was strong community support for the proposed new policy, with 75 per cent stating they were very supportive and 81 per cent believing seasonal and temporary trading improves the experience of public spaces.
The most popular locations for seasonal and temporary trading were Bathers Beach, both south of Kidogo and in the hardstand area, and South Beach Dog Beach. Port Beach north and south carparks, Booyeebmara Park mountain bike trail hardstand area, the Samson Park verge, the Gilbert Fraser Reserve verge and the Esplanade Park were also approved as trading locations.
Traders will also be able to propose their own trading locations to the city, to be approved by chief executive officer Glen Dougall for a trial period up to 12 months.
Three trading time slots will be available at morning, lunchtime and in the evening to reduce competition saturation and increase fairness.
Cr Williamson-Wong said this system could be used flexibly to allow for overlap or joint vendor applications.
“I have brought this up with staff that perhaps having three different trading slots being morning, lunch and evening would make it potentially unviable for a business to be there for a shorter amount of time, or perhaps doesn’t suit some locations,” she said.
“However. . .those three time slots don’t have to necessarily go to three different businesses.
“One business may apply and obtain two time slots for that season, or perhaps there are opportunities to be flexible in the sharing of that time slot which is to be worked out by applicants, or by a joint application for perhaps the lunch slot which might be the crossover period between two people who currently use that space.”
Cr Melanie Clark said this would allow people dreaming of businesses to “give it a go” and see what works, which would benefit everyone.
“The community is going to win. They’re going to get extra services or extra experiences and we’ll get extra income for the city and we’ll also have a way for succession planning,” she said.
“Hopefully some of those people who want to give it a try will be able to move into more permanent locations within the city’s more empty buildings.”
Traders wishing to apply for a seasonal trading permit must ensure their business doesn’t impede accessibility in the area and is able to be removed within 12 hours.
The business must also be unique, ideally with a tourist appeal, vibrant, high quality, environmentally sustainable and suitable for the public.
The winter season runs from May 1 to October 31, with EOI applications opening on February 1 and closing on March 1. The summer season runs from November 1 to April 30 and EOI applications open on August 1 and close September 1.
Mobile food vendors can also apply for an annual permit held from November 1 to October 31. Applications open on August 1 and close September 1.
The seasonal trader permit fee will cost $1,500, while mobile food vendors will pay up to $400 for a timeslot, or up to $700 for an annual permit.
