A SATURDAY morning growers market at Bert Wright Park in Bayswater could open as early as next month.

Organiser Future Bayswater have got stallholders on board, and the final hurdle is raising $12,000 for start-up costs.

They launched a crowdfunding page on July 25, and after six days they had already raised more than half the amount needed.

Market organiser Laura Thomas says it’s reaffirmed there’s a lot of interest: “It’s gone really well. We knew from some surveys that the community was really keen on a farmers market, but people have actually put some dollars into it.

“Our idea is to have a weekly farmers market in Bayswater to activate the town centre and bring the community together.”

In February, Bayswater council agreed to waive $13,000 in hire fees for Future Bayswater to hold the markets at Bert Wright Park.

The group’s online polling found 98 per cent of the 738 respondents wanted a fresh food market. It will be run by Heart Inspired Events, which already manages Mount Hawthorn Hawkers and Vic Park Farmers markets.

Ms Thomas says they hope to “bring people in to help support the existing businesses. Bayswater train station is about to go through a massive construction phase, so it’s just about bringing everyone together and bringing life to the town centre.”

If you want to crowdfund the markets go to: chuffed.org/project/help-launch-the-bayswater-growers-market

by DAVID BELL