One of the Northern Rivers’ most successful new community markets has been suspended, with organisers pointing to declining public support and difficult economic conditions.

The Alstonville Community Market, launched in October 2024, had grown rapidly, at one stage attracting up to 100 stallholders and hundreds of shoppers to the Alstonville Showgrounds each month.

The market was established as a joint initiative between the Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce and the Alstonville Agricultural Society (AAS).

The chamber oversaw management of the market until late last year, before the AAS took over lead responsibility.

The April market was cancelled due to a lack of interest from stallholders, while the final monthly market went ahead last Saturday with noticeably reduced numbers of both sellers and shoppers.

The suspension was announced to stallholders in an email sent last night by the Alstonville Community Market Team.

“As many of you are aware, public support for the market has declined, and after much consideration, the hard working group of volunteers have made the difficult decision to suspend the monthly market at this time,” the email said.

Organisers said they were now exploring the possibility of holding four larger themed markets each year instead of monthly events.

“We are exploring the option of moving towards four markets a year and hosting special events in the future to align with events such as Fathers Day, Christmas, Easter, Mothers Day etc and run for a longer period of time with other added entertainment,” the email said.

Photos: The markets at their peak in late 2024

Chamber President Jemma Coulter said she was saddened by the “difficult” decision, however the organisation would continue working with the AAS to try to revive the market in a seasonal or quarterly format.

She said the economic environment had become increasingly difficult for markets across the Northern Rivers.

“There are so many markets across the region now and people are being much more careful with discretionary spending,” Ms Coulter said.

“There has definitely been a noticeable drop-off in both buyers and stallholders across a lot of the general community markets.”

When the Alstonville market launched in 2024, there had been no regular community market operating in Lismore since the 2022 flood.

Since then, a regular market has been re-established, on the same weekend as Alstonville.

Despite the suspension, Ms Coulter said organisers remained hopeful the market could return in a different format.

The market had become a major showcase for local artisans, growers, small businesses and community groups, while also helping attract visitors to Plateau businesses and cafes.