Subi fires up the markets

Subiaco is regaining its reputation as a "market town" thanks to a new twilight food market.

The Sunset Food Markets, held on Thursday nights to coincide with late-night shopping, have attracted up to 3000 people to Subiaco Square each week since being launched at the beginning of the month.

The markets, which are on a seven-week trial, were born after a survey of residents found a "strong desire" to keep existing markets and bring back ones that had closed.

Annaliese Doesburg , executive officer of Pro Subi, a marketing body for Subiaco businesss, said retailers in the area wanted to inject vibrancy into the area with the markets, which targeted families and people on their way home from work.

"Retailers are just happy that something's happening and excited that people are coming back in . . . they can see the long-term benefit of Subiaco getting its name back," she said.

Also new in the area is the Subiaco Village Retailers Association's bimonthly Park Street Markets, held on a closed section of Rokeby Road. The next is in January.

Rokeby Road pharmacist David Maxwell, who heads the SVRA, said the carnival-style markets were an example of how the association was breathing life back into the precinct.