A disabled stallholder at Batemans Bay’s Friday on the Foreshore markets is outraged at treatment she allegedly received from organisers recently.
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Jenny Shepherd, 54, claims she was told to remove her car from a disabled parking space next to where the markets are held on January 9, and if she did not, she would have to also remove her stall, which she eventually did in disgust.
Both Mrs Shepherd and her brother, Dennis Voveris, have disabled parking permits on their four-wheel drive vehicles, which were parked next to each other near the site of their stall.
“We arrived at about 3pm to set up our stall, but between 4.30pm and 5pm we were told to move the cars by the organisers, despite there being plenty of room,” she said.
“They said the spots were for customers, not stallholders.”
Mrs Shepherd said she explained to them that due to her badly injured leg and knee it was too difficult to move items to and from the cars if they were parked far away.
“They said that if we did not move the cars, we would have to remove the stall,” she said.
“They told us not to bother finishing setting up the stall, and if we didn’t move the cars they would have them towed away,” she said.
“We decided to just pack up and got our fee money back.”
Ms Shepherd said she was given was given a $350 refund, but felt terrible from the experience.
“People just shouldn’t be treated that way,” she said.
“We were here last year and we parked there and it was no problem.
“I have had stalls at Corrigans, Ulladulla and Canberra and never had such a problem.”
Mrs Shepherd said she would only return to the markets if she received a “complete apology” from organisers.
The markets, organised by the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce, have now concluded for the season.
The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner contacted the Chamber member named by Ms Shepherd who allegedly told her to move her car, however the member denied that it was her.
The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner has also sought further comment from the Chamber, however representatives were unavailable for comment.