00:00For almost 50 years, the Red Hill Community Market has charmed locals and visitors alike.
00:09Today it received an emotional send-off as it prepares to shut down.
00:13It's grown to be an icon of the area.
00:17It's really meant a lot and to see it grow over the years has been really special.
00:22Craft Market Australia says the Mornington Peninsula Shire's decision not to grant it a licence
00:27to continue operating at the Red Hill Recreation Reserve has come as a complete surprise.
00:32I can't believe that something that the public loves so much has to close down.
00:40Operators say they only found out two days ago.
00:43Today was meant to be the first day of trading for the season.
00:46Those two? It's 8.15, thank you.
00:50Some vendors have been there from the very beginning.
00:53It's a big community, it's lovely.
00:55This has got history. People come from all over the place to this market.
00:59Not just from Melbourne, they come from interstate.
01:02It's like meeting up with old friends once a month at the market.
01:05Mayor Simon Brooks says the council received multiple expressions of interest from other local groups
01:10wanting to run events at the venue.
01:12The Red Hill Agricultural Society will take over the venue from next month and run a different market.
01:18Their intention, according to what I've seen, is to reinvest back into the community.
01:24When the Red Hill Community Market began, there were just 28 stalls and it cost 75 cents to register as a seller.
01:31Today, on its final day of operation, there are now 240 stalls all competing for business.
01:37But it might not be the end, with organisers looking for a new home for the market.
01:42We'll look into, hopefully, new areas and we'll see what we can do.
01:47Hope for a cherished community favourite.
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