Durban - More than a 1 000 people have signed a petition to save the Stables Lifestyle Market from being evicted. The market, along with horses at Newmarket next door, have until the end of the month to leave.
Both are on property that is to be developed into a new soccer academy.
Signatures were gathered at schools on the Berea during the week and market customers on Sunday.
Market representatives will meet eThekwini city manager, S’bu Sithole, on Monday to discuss their future.
Speaking to the Daily News on Sunday, Stables Lifestyle Market spokesman, Yaser Nasef, said the 73 stalls were trading as normal and the rumours had not affected them.
“We are not closing. We will take the matter to court if we have no resolution. The city management does not understand the dynamics of this market. There are arts and crafters who create items and sell them,” he said.
Drumshack owner, Johnathan Pimenta, said his space was all about family entertainment and socialising. He had been creating and assembling drums for the past 16 years at the market.
“Music unites people. The response from tourists to the drums is great. I have to think carefully where I move my business. It has to be close to my clientele. Drumming is noisy, so I cannot move into a residential area,” he said.
Book store owner, Scott Duncan, who had been with the market for 20 years, said his store was all about educating people. He said he had taken to selling books online and had not thought of trading elsewhere.
“People progressed and grew their business after starting here. This is a great place for small-medium-micro businesses. The municipality will shoot itself in the foot if they evict us,” Duncan said.
One of the first five stall holders, Lorraine Thorpe, said it took months to build up the clientele at the beginning, but despite trials and tribulations the market had stood strong and hopefully would continue for decades.
“I will remain positive and I have faith. Hopefully, sanity will prevail,” she said.
The market is trading as normal every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Daily News