The monthly Byron Community Market relocating to the town centre is one of the biggest changes this market has experienced in decades. This move will bring the vibrancy and atmosphere of the bustling market scene right into our beautiful Byron town centre and I can’t think of a better way to share the business it brings with the local shops.
The Main Beach foreshore has been the temporary home for the iconic Sunday market for the past two years after it relocated from Butler Street Reserve for the construction of the bypass and the bus interchange. It has served us well, however there are a number of reasons it’s not sustainable to stay there and I believe this new location will bring the market up to a whole new level of success.
The layout will be a meandering walk through the heart of Byron and around the recently revamped heritage Railway Corridor and Railway Park. A section of Jonson Street will be closed to traffic for the ‘Car Free Sunday’ initiative adopted by Byron Shire Council in 2022 as part of the Byron Master Plan. This area will also be a hive of activity with room for pedestrians to browse and wander.
Byron Shire Council has made available a huge area for stallholder parking, alleviating the need for stallholders to park in the streets as they currently do. We have been working closely with the Byron Shire Council and a traffic management consultant to make sure the road closure and load in and out is managed with as minimal disruption as possible.
Although not without its challenges, I see this as being a positive change for the community and the 500+ businesses that the markets support. I can’t wait to see the locals and tourists enjoying the new location, bringing that festive vibe to the town centre.
Byron Markets is a social enterprise managed by the Byron Community Centre and supports community services and programs including our homeless hub Fletcher Street Cottage.
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