As a result of lessons learnt, over the last five years, the City requested the Cape Town Central City Improvement District to manage the Adderley Street Night Market as part of their 2006 Festive Season programme. This arrangement was a great success.
The following objectives were achieved:
- The efficient and effective management of the Adderley Street Night Market as part of the overall CBD Festive Season offering;
- The minimal disruption to formal retailers and visitors to the central city, in accordance with regulations laid down by the relevant City service departments;
- The creation of opportunities for local small businesses and informal traders to maximise revenue opportunities over an intensive 13 day shopping period;
- The promotion of the CBD as a viable and exciting leisure and shopping destination for Capetonians and visitors during the Festive Season;
- The maximising of the event as a marketing opportunity for the City of Cape Town and the Cape Town Partnership.
The City, the Cape Town Partnership and the Central City Improvement District undertook a post event assessment and a comprehensive report was compiled.
Overall, the event was a huge success, despite some minor problems being experienced. There was a discernible difference between last year's market and those of previous years. An element of professionalism has been introduced that should send positive signals both to informal traders, the public and retailers. Also, a solid platform has been built to take this event forward, and to improve it even further so that it becomes a flagship event for Cape Town during the Festive Season.
It is believed that the negativity and concerns of previous years have been overcome. A few areas of concern were identified, relating to trader management, and the reluctance of corporate retailers to extend their trading hours and the impact on people living in the CBD. Steps have been taken to address these during the 2007 Market. Retailers expressed dissatisfaction at the disruption caused by the market in previous years, and cited this as the reason they would not extend their trading hours. Many were doubtful that the market could ever be run in an orderly fashion and adopted a "wait and see" attitude. It is believed that this perception has been effectively turned around.
The Cape Town Central City Improvement District has built a successful track record of CBD event management and marketing. The Partnership will be facilitating a varied programme of events in the CBD over the coming Festive Season in its drive to create a 24-hour inner city.
It is clearly apparent that the Adderley Street Night Market should complement all the other City of Cape Town, Cape Town Partnership and Cape Town Central City Improvement District activities in the Central
City.
The City's agreement with the Cape Town Partnership will ensure that informal traders, small business, residents and visitors benefit from the event. Also, this event is seen as an ideal opportunity for the Cape Town Partnership to build a more positive relationship with the small business/ informal sector.
It is emphasised that this proposal does not give the Partnership control over Informal Trading, but simply the organisation of this particular event, which must be undertaken in a way that benefits small business/informal traders.
Issued by:
Directorate: Communication
City Of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Cllr Simon Grindrod
Mayoral Committee Member for Social, Economic Development and Tourism
Tel: 021 400 1298
Cell: 084 200 6060
