Richmond Night Market

. The Richmond Night Market has brought people all from over the world to this venue. Locals had often complained that Metro Vancouver is a boring city with little to do. The Richmond Night Market has been welcomed by locals and tourists alike for getting together, having some good food, and enjoying the crowds. The Richmond Night Market has become a "must see" tourist attraction in Richmond.

The Richmond Night Market was first held in 2003 at Continental Square. It soon grew rapidly, and as a result, it was moved to Lansdowne Park Shopping Centre in 2004. [ [http://www.richmond-news.com/issues01/06201/news/06201N7.html canada.com ] ] It became so crowded that it was later moved to the site of the current River Rock Casino Resort, and then to Vulcan Way. Over 30,000 people visit the Night Market each night it is held.

At its peak, the Richmond Night Market had over 400 booths selling mostly Asian cuisine, merchandise, and entertainment. Entrance to the market was free, and customers found that the merchandise sold there is sold at a price much lower than one would usually find in a retail store primarily due to the low quality, no name Chinese made products.

In October 2007, the Richmond Night Market's current location's lease on Vulcan Way with the landlord had expired. [ [http://www.canada.com/richmondnews/news/story.html?id=df0c8abe-8ed3-44b4-b5c7-042d853e275b&k=98766 Richmond News] ] The landlord did not wish to renew his lease with Target Event Group Ltd. Initially, Target Event Group Ltd. had been cautiously optimistic that they could find an alternative location in Richmond. However, as time went on, it appeared doubtful and they will need to relocate outside of the city of Richmond.

New Developments

At the end of March 2008, a new location for the Richmond Night Market had not been located. Target Events Group Ltd. said it would need about 15 acres of paved land to hold the event. Discussions have been taking place with other cities and municipalities but it was hoped that the market would remain in Richmond, BC. In April 2008, Target Events Group Ltd. had issued a news release canceling the event for 2008 and will once again attempt to find an alternative location in 2009. [ [http://www.straight.com/article-140044/2008-richmond-night-market-cancelled 2008 Richmond Night Market cancelled | Straight.com ] ]

Another promoter who is not affiliated with the Richmond Night Market will be hosting the Night Market in 2008. In a news release, Target stated that Lions Communications is attempting to secure the necessary permits from the City of Richmond to hold a similar event in the same location. As of March 25, 2008, the City of Richmond had received the application from Lions Communications of the new "Summer Night Market," [http://www.summernightmarket.com/cp-7-News28Mar2008.html Summer Night Market News Release] ] and after a hearing at Richmond City Hall on May 20, 2008, the Summer Night Market was granted a permit for two-years operation at the Vulcan Way location [ [http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2008/05/22/5634556-sun.html 24 Hours Vancouver ] ] . The hours of this year's festival are 7:00 PM until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM on Sundays and Holidays from May 30, 2008 - October 5th, 2008. [ [http://www.summernightmarket.com/ Summer Night Market - Richmond ] ]

Although the site was targeted by vandalism recently, Cheung says that the event will be powered by emergency generators while electrical repairs estimated at $100,000 are underway. The main service pole was cut down and the fuses and wiring were ripped out. The RCMP are currently investigating this incident. [ [http://www.summernightmarket.com/cp-15-News20May2008.html Summer Night Market News Release] ]

Lions Communications Inc. has experience organizing various night markets both in Richmond and Vancouver, notably the first night market of its kind for Richmond in the 1998 Continental Square Mid Autumn Festival along with the Chinese New Year Night Market at Lansdowne Park Shopping Centre which ran for 6 consecutive years starting from 1999. This company also includes the core operators behind Paradise Entertainment, a company which has organized events such as the Molson Indy opening ceremonies, Mid Autumn Festival 1995 and Chinese New Year celebrations in 1998 at the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver. This company has also stated that they will reduce parking costs compared to previous years and improve access to the night market site.

Target Events Group Ltd. plans to continue the annual night market tradition. They are firming up details of their new location for 2009. An announcement should be made in October 2008. [ [http://www.targetevent.com/home.html Target Event Presents: The Richmond Night Market 2007-The Magical Summer ] ]

Raymond Cheung, who is hoping to continue his market at a different location in 2009, has filed a lawsuit against Paul Cheung, alleging trademark infringement over the name of the market and copyright infringement on the vendor application forms. Paul Cheung said the allegations are without merit, saying night markets are "not an exclusive concept." [http://www.summernightmarket.com/cp-14-News6May2008.html]

Controversy

Though the Night Market is good for business, it does have its opponents. Thousands visit the Night Market each night, and traffic has become grossly congested on Bridgeport Road and other roads in the area. Many local merchants complain that night market customers park in their customer's spots instead of the Night Market parking spots.

A September 2004 Asia Pacific Post report claimed that the event had become a “involved in the manufacture and sale of fake goods” from China. That story included an account of a police raid on the market, in which a “whole array of fake goods” was discovered.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.summernightmarket.com Summer Night Market official site]
* [http://www.richmondnightmarket.com Richmond Night Market official site]