Glebe Markets closing down after 31 years

Glebe Markets, one of Sydney's best-known weekend markets, has announced it is closing down after more than three decades.

The markets are held in its namesake Inner West suburb every Saturday and are estimated to draw around 10,000 browsers each weekend.

Organisers announced the shock closure online on Wednesday, revealing February 25 would be the last day of trade.

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"Thank you for sharing the last 31 years with us," the markets said in the announcement.

No reason has been offered by organisers for the sudden closure.

Regular stallholders were informed trade would be ceasing via email.

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Jamie Parker, MP for Balmain, the NSW electoral district Glebe falls in, has offered a potential explanation.

He revealed the contract to operate the markets, which are held on the grounds of Glebe Public School, is up in March.

"Glebe Markets have been a much-loved part of our community since 1992 and we all want to keep them running," he wrote online.

"The contract to operate the markets is due to expire in March and the Department of Education who owns the site at Glebe Public School has said they have no plans to close the markets.

"We have already won a commitment from the government that any new tender is to develop an improved traffic management plan.

"So I'll be contacting the minister tomorrow to confirm and follow up.

'I'll let them know our community wants the markets to continue, and make sure the new tender process to operate the market is resolved quickly."

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