The Lismore Car Boot Markets has been an institution in Lismore, meeting twice monthly, on the 1st and 3rd Sundays under the Lismore Square (in the carpark) for the past 34 years, until COVID struck in 2020, when it was temporarily relocated to the Lismore Showground for safety reasons. It was either move or don't have a Car Boot Market due to the government COVID restrictions.

Then on February 22 this year, six days before the megaflood, the Lismore App's Liina Flynn reported that Lismore Car Boot owner Marny Bonner had made the decision to move to the Lismore Showground permanently citing that moving to a “safer” location with fresh air and lots of outdoor space for market-goers was the best way forward to see it survive into an uncertain future. 

The license to operate in the Lismore Square Car Park had been terminated earlier.

We all know the story from February 28 on as all venues became impossible to host any event let alone a a bi-monthly market. That was until Lismore City Council opened up Harold Fredericks Car Park to various organisations and the Lismore Car Boot Markets.

Now, Mobile Cafe owners Michelle Campbell and Ron Kleindiek, of One Fine Kitchen are starting a petition to try and get the markets moved to the Lismore Shopping Square Car Park once again.

Michelle and Ron have been a part of the markets during the recent changes in location and say that two markets in that time had to be cancelled due to weather effects, and that stallholders such as themselves had added complications with over 100m of hose to get water as there were only two taps and having to pay for Generator hire, along with not having a way to tether marquee's safely or effectively.

It's been proven that communities that come together organically, regularly, have better cohesion, and therefore, better resilience during times of disaster, Jean Renouf a firefighter and Director of Resilient Byron, a disaster recovery specialist told the Lismore App.

This concept of providing a regular social space and opportunity for everyone, including those who may ordinarily be quite isolated, is why Ron and Michelle say they decided to start a petition, to show the desire of the community to have the markets reinstated in its former location.

"We had people coming up to us asking about it constantly, so we decided to take action, and we gathered so many signatures straight away, that we then expanded to have a change.org as well as paper versions of the petition.

800 people have signed this petition in just over 2 weeks.

Lismore Square Centre Manager, Shaun Haysom from McConaghy Properties, who believes the lease expired, told the Lismore App, "Lismore Square has not received any formal request or been involved in any discussions with either Lismore City Council, The Chamber of Commerce or the Car Boot Markets to discuss their return to Lismore Square".

Shaun also confirmed that his family is a local family, and he himself has attended the markets many times over the years.

There is no doubt, more news to come about the future of the Lismore Car Boot Markets. Meanwhile, today's market is on at The Channon between 9am and 3pm.