The anticipated opening of Pipeworks Market was cancelled at the weekend due to issues with the market’s permit.
Pipeworks took to social media on Friday, May 20, to announce the opening of the Thomastown market had been delayed.
But not all market-goers saw the post, with Melton’s Lucy Calleja among those making the trip to Thomastown on Sunday.
Ms Calleja said she was disappointed to see so many care leaving the site on Sunday.
“My family decided to go to the Pipeworks Market at Thomastown on Sunday [May 23] to look at the car show and have lunch,” she said.
“We drove all the way from Melton and were looking forward to a great outing. We get to the gates to be told by security that the market is still not approved by council.”
Pipeworks Markets owner Bernie Dunn described the cancellation as a “temporary lapse.”
“We’re extremely disappointed the market didn’t open and we’ve sort of lost faith now with a lot of customers and a lot of our stallholders, but it’ll turn out to be just a temporary lapse. It’ll happen and it’s a good spot for a good market here,” Mr Dunn said.
“The owners have invested far too much in this to stop now. We’re still working on the place, tidying things up and getting things ready. We’ve got 300-plus tenants all ready to go.”
Whittlesea council planning and development director Justin O’Meara said it was council’s understanding that the market operators were working through the required permit matters.
“Council will continue to support the operators to fulfil their requirements and look forward to seeing the opening of the new Pipeworks.”
