The V&A Food Market in Cape Town’s Waterfront area will be closing its doors next week, to be replaced later this year by a new food hall format owned by UK-based Time Out, known for its magazines. This marks the end of one chapter for food markets in Cape Town and the start of a new one under the Time Out brand.
Picture: Getaway gallery
The new Time Out Market will be located in the 27,000m² space, which will feature 14 kitchens, four bars, and a stage. There are currently over 40 tenants in the V&A Food Market, selling a wide range of foods. However, only three of the current Food Market tenants, namely Knysna Oyster Co, 7 Colours Eatery, and Royal Tea, have been able to find new locations in the shopping area so far.
Selwyn Roberts, who sells Hyppolitas artisanal chocolate products at the market, said that the news of the market’s closure came unexpectedly in October last year and that vendors were informed in November that it would close in January. ‘I feel disappointed, especially since the new market will be run by an overseas company. The whole point of the current market was to be proudly South African,’ says Roberts. He also stated that turnover in the market seemed to be good and picking up following the pandemic.
Another vendor, who spoke to News24 on condition of anonymity, said that ‘[The closure of the market] is leaving some people devastated and without jobs, including three of my staff members.’ She also said that it is especially hard to have to close during the peak summer season, which is traditionally a busy trading period for vendors. She also mentioned that she has one other shop in Cape Town and tried to find an alternative spot at the Waterfront or surroundings but there was nothing available.
Donald Kau, the spokesperson of the V&A Waterfront, said ‘We have had applications from the majority of the tenants in the Food Market and now have most of them on our waiting list should something appropriate come up. Unfortunately, when we did have space, tenants were not interested in places offered to some – such as at the Clock Tower – and now we are fully let.’ He also added ‘The vast majority of the remaining tenants currently have alternative premises that they or their brand trades from, so this is also not their only income source.’
The first Time Out magazine launched in London in 1968, offering a guide to the best art and entertainment, food and drink, attractions and hotels in the city. The first Time Out Market opened in 2014 in Lisbon, with markets in major cities in North America, the Middle East, and Europe following. Time Out Markets aims to represent the best food, drink, and culture in a city. Time Out will be responsible for curating the food market and managing the space under a contract agreement, and new vendors have to be independent operators- no chain restaurants. Time Out will select and curate their food offering.
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