Friday night market delayed

Photo: Contributed - http://downtownvernon.com/

There will be a slight delay in the city's plans to hold a weekly Friday night summer market in downtown Vernon.

City Council was set to approve the necessary road closures off 30th Avenue on Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m., but some members of council decided to stall saying they need to ensure it is really what downtown shopkeepers want.

"I've talked to a few businesses down there and they don't support it," said Councillor Bob Spiers.

To ensure business owner approval, council has asked the Downtown Vernon Association to come back in two weeks with written approval from the businesses in the area, something Executive Director Lara Konkin says will not be an issue.

“I am disappointed but we will go and get the written survey from the merchants on 30th avenue. Something we have previously done, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to compile that information for them,” said Konkin.

She says it is an unfortunate delay, especially for some of the vendors whose livelihoods rely on signing up for markets like this, but that it wont be a problem to get the signatures.

“We have spoke to every business that we could on and off 30th Avenue, we had representation for all those businesses and without a doubt I am convinced we have the support of those businesses.”

Council will revisit the proposal with the report from the DVA in hand at its next meeting on April 28.