Organisers of Warrnambool's summer night markets will go ahead

Organisers Kerry Lee and Dianne Brown have been working hard behind the scenes to tick all the boxes with regard to coronavirus restrictions.

However, Mrs Lee said they feared it may be too much work for two people.

"We've been bending over backwards trying to do everything we can," Mrs Lee said.

"But it's uncertain at the moment whether they will go ahead."

Mrs Lee said it would be a shame because the night markets were always well attended.

However, as it would be classed as an event with more than 1000 people, strict protocols including fencing off the area, counting the number of people through the gates, having separate entry and exit gates and recording contact details for everyone who enters.

Mrs Lee said the organisers were prepared to spread out the market, with plenty of space available at Lake Pertobe.

"It's such a loved event but at this stage we don't think it will go ahead," Mrs Lee said.

"It's frustrating because it's such a nice market for people to be able to stroll through and enjoy dinner."

Mrs Lee said it would have been the 21^st year the markets have been held.

She said there were plenty of stallholders who wanted to return to the market over the summer.

The two women have held three Sunday markets at the Civic Green, which had proved popular.

"The markets at the Civic Green have been lovely," Mrs Lee said.

"We've had really good feedback from the stallholders."

Mrs Lee said there were plenty of visitors in the city who attended the market on Sunday.

"We've had close to capacity at the last two markets, with about 45 stallholders," she said.

Mrs Lee said the Warrnambool City Council had offered advice on how the market could go ahead.

"We're trying everything we possibly can and the council has been good," she said.

Mrs Lee said a decision about the markets would be made this week.

The first summer market is scheduled for Friday, January 8 at Lake Pertobe.

The summer night markets usually attract a mix of locals and visitors to the city.

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