Georgie Adeane, the creator of the popular Bathers Beach Sunset Markets, said she got the idea for a new alley-style market after seeing first-hand how successful a similar venture was in Victoria Park.
She said a recent count at the Thank God It’s Friday market saw a 67 per cent increase in foot traffic.
The western-most section of High Street is one of three possible locations for the new market, which could bring the foot traffic locals have been yearning for.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘I’m still in the process of consulting the community regarding the new Alley Cat Street Food Market,’ Ms Adeane said.
‘The market will consist of eclectic street food from around the world, with live entertainment, and at the end of December it will return to Bathers Beach and trade there for the remainder of summer.
‘Other locations are the area in front of X Wray Cafe and Paddy Troy Lane.
‘I have given many of the adjoining residents and businesses my survey and to date there has been 100 per cent support from those who have replied.’
The Fremantle Society is one of many local groups pondering ways to get more people into the West End. President Henty Farrar said it was important to the vibrancy of Fremantle as a whole that this area was active day and night.
‘It needs to be a place that people are drawn to, to spend time and more importantly money,’ he said.
‘The market would be of some benefit and will be better than doing nothing, provided the offering is high quality and the product is not otherwise available in High Street or the immediate local area.
‘The area is generally a destination rather than a transit location, so with limited traffic management information in place it should be workable for all concerned.’
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said he thought a market in High Street would be great.
‘The West End is mostly very quiet on the weekend when the university is not in session and this would bring a lot of people to the area. It is such a wonderful area and the more activities like this that enable more people to enjoy one of Australia’s best streetscapes, the better,’ he said.