Locals and tourists will have much to look forward to when the annual Cape Town Summer Market kicks off in the Company’s Garden soon, where 100 vendors will be retailing their product offerings ranging from locally handmade products, local food and pre-packed goods. A three-day physical market will be held from 16 to 18 December from 12:00 to 20:00 while an online market will take place from 1 to 31 December 2021.
Many Capetonians and regular visitors to the City are familiar with this annual market, which was launched 22 years ago, under the Adderley Street lights, but it has since found a new home at the Company’s Garden.
Last year, the City’s first ever piloted online Summer Market was held virtually and at the Green Point Urban Park due to the applicable Covid-19 lockdown restrictions at the time.
Over 120 vendors were showcased on the online market, where they were able to sell a variety of goods virtually. The market was well supported by customers nationwide and positive feedback was received in terms of how quickly the goods were delivered and the quality of the products.
‘The pandemic’s effect on the informal trading sector under national lockdown Level 5 necessitated the need to find innovative ways to ensure that traders are able to access economic opportunities safely and in a Covid-19 compliant manner. In light of this, the format of the market had to be changed from a purely physical event to a hybrid format, which includes both the physical Cape Town Summer market and the Cape Town Online market. A hybrid implementation of the event will comprise of a live event adhering to the Covid-19 protocols,’ said Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management.
The online market will operate from 1 December 2021 to 31 December 2021 at www.capetownonlinemarket.co.za
It is anticipated that a total of 200 vendors will be hosted on this platform, which is a City initiative. The virtual market is available to Cape Town based vendors and aims to support small businesses to sell their products online. The cost for participation on the online market is R336,10.
Vendor applications for the online and physical market opened on 16 November 2021 and will close on 6 December 2021 at 13:00. Vendors can apply for the Cape Town Online Market at the following link:
Vendors will be able to upload all their required documentation and those who wish to make their applications in person can submit their documentation to the Area Economic Development, Area North Office, Ground floor, 44 Wale Street, Cape Town. Applications for the physical market will cost R107,20 per day for the duration of the three days. For the physical event, some of the market activities include live entertainment, car park off, young entrepreneurs market, super Sunday specials and half-price kiddie carnival rides.
‘Our role is to provide an enabling environment for the informal sector to do business and the Summer Market does just that. Through the market, our people will be able to supplement their income and sustain their livelihoods over the festive period. This also contributes to economic recovery and Cape Town CBD revitalisation. It will also play a part in the stimulation of the night economy in the CBD,’ said Alderman Twigg.
Source: City Of Cape Town