Denmark Arts’ 40-year run of seasonal markets in Berridge Park is over. Instead, Denmark Arts hopes to collaborate with other market-holders to support them in a new model different to the traditional markets.

These have been held over summer and at Easter, and over the decades have built Denmark’s reputation as a market town. They have drawn vast crowds and top acts in Berridge Park along with countless stallholders.

But Covid-19 disruptions, rising costs and funding cuts have taken a toll.

There has been a 27 per cent drop in Shire funding in the 2022-2023 financial year, and Healthway’s Act Commit Belong fund, which funded the market stage for the past eight years, has been axed. Denmark Arts general manager Amber Launay said the cost of presenting big markets had escalated in recent years.

These included traffic and risk management, insurances and event delivery. Organisers of the Kwoorabup Community Markets are holding talks in the Denmark community about the future of local markets.

“We have every confidence that they are the right organisation to be taking the lead in this,” Ms Launay said.

“While we hope we may be able to collaborate with KCM, this may not suit all of their stakeholders.

“But as an incorporated association existing for the sole purpose of delivering markets in Denmark, we feel that it is important that they lead that conversation and future plans.

“It is time for Denmark Arts to move aside.” Talks are underway with the KCM-organisers and the Community Resource Centre.

KCM coordinator Jasper Trendall said the outcome of these would not be known until after the KCM’s annual general meeting at the beginning of October.

New model sought Denmark markets

He said the KCM did not need to move from the regular Sunday format at the Golden Hill Steiner where the organisation enjoyed a good relationship and a venue to run its small weekly markets.

But KCM had added capacity to run markets having set up an online booking and payment system for stallholders while Denmark Arts had the capacity to attract arts and musical acts for markets.

Denmark CRC had space, a commercial kitchen, fresh produce and people with event-management skills available.

So far Denmark Arts, in a partnership with the CRC, hopes to present a twilight market at the Christmas Pageant on Friday, December 9.

Ms Launay said the event would be run by the CRC and was subject to Shire approval.

In particular, Denmark Arts hoped to encourage young people to apply for standard stalls and pedlar permits.

They should be resident in the shires of Denmark, Plantagenet, the Walpole region or City of Albany.

If the event were not held, Denmark Arts would consider holding an artisan market/fair in and around Artshouse close to Christmas. Denmark Arts will not present the traditional markets in January.

Ms Launay said Denmark Arts would shift its focus to activating the Artshouse and work in partnership with organisations to share resources.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 15 September 2022.