NEWS DESK
Cruise bounty yet to be collected Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A MORNINGTON market stallholder says the town is missing out on the full potential from visiting cruise ships and possibly helping to turn the boats back. Pam Burrows, of Mt Eliza, who sells Australiana-theme souvenirs and gifts, says she was dismayed to learn the Mornington Chamber of Commerce committee had decided not to hold a street market because of traders’ objections. “I really feel that this is short sighted and detrimental to future visits by cruise liners,” she said. “From experience I know I have always enjoyed browsing the local artisans in a street or wharf market. “Normally, about half the passengers just like browsing through the town. Not having a market is not upholding all the promises of a warm welcome and memorable experience in Mornington. “It’s almost like we are turning our backs on the ships and it would be a pity to lose them. They will bypass us if there is no atmosphere.” Ms Burrows said the regular Wednesday Main St market brings “hordes of extra tourists to the area”. “My products are certainly not available in shops,” she said. Ms Burrows wants market days changed to Tuesdays when cruise ships visit. “It’s all so secretive, which seems strange for Mornington,” she said. “We did embrace the second visit [in February last year] and it was a won-
Fake hundreds FAKE $100 notes have been found circulating in Mornington. Senior Sergeant John Coburn, of Somerville police complex, said three of the notes had been found at a hotel, Friday night. The notes have a different texture to genuine notes, and the impression in the window area is indistinct, he said.
Pub changes hands Ship ahoy: There’s more to be made from cruise ship passengers, according to at least one market stallholder, although the chamber of commerce is happy the way things are. On Saturday the Pacific Eden seemed to be parked just off The Esplanade. Picture: Keith Platt
derful success.” Then, traders’ stalls the length of Main St, courtesy buses, brass bands and roving entertainers – as well as an official greeting party on the pier – left cruise passengers in no doubt they were the toast of the town. “But on this last visit [12 January] there was nothing; it seemed like we had turned our backs on the ship,” Ms Burrows said. “We had 900 passengers asking staff at the information centre what there was to do in the town.” The town was expected to be inundated with cruise-line passengers on Saturday with the return of Pacific Eden, and the same is expected on 6 March with the arrival of sister ship Pacific Jewel. Mornington Chamber of Commerce spokesman Kim Rowe said the tradi-
tional traders’ market would continue to be run on Wednesdays. “We won’t be running additional markets because of the cost,” she said, adding that Wednesday markets gave the cruise liners “an opportunity to come on a different day”. Ms Rowe said the complexities of managing the shipping line’s calendar meant “we have no control over their movements”. “If one boat moves even one day it throws out the scheduling of others ships. The calendar takes 12 months to arrange and it’s not just Sydney-Mornington, but takes into account shipping movements all over the Pacific.” Ms Rowe said the Tuesday market coinciding with the second visit by a cruise ship early last year had received money from Mornington Peninsula Shire [believed to be $5000], but had
“still cost a lot to arrange”. “We really wanted to make a statement to [cruise line owners] Carnival and we did that and it was a great success. We now have a good relationship with them and they deal direct with the chamber, which is unheard of.” A band and staff from Mornington Information Centre were on the pier to welcome passengers and assist with their inquiries in the last visit. P&O Cruises spokeswoman Candice Lester said “passengers thoroughly enjoyed their recent visit to Mornington, exploring the local shopping scene, sampling local produce and enjoying organised shore tours”. “The Pacific Eden carries 1500 passengers and the vast majority of them disembarked to explore the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. The feedback we received was very positive.”
NEW owners of the Pig & Whistle, in Purves Rd, Main Ridge, have big plans for the former “traditional British pub” which has been running since 1975. The 26-acre property had been on the market for several months at a reported asking price of more than $3 million. The sale has been confirmed, and it was expected to change hands yesterday (Monday). The buying syndicate plans to upgrade the venue “to a resort-style destination for visitors from across Australia and overseas”. Chief operations manager John Groenendijk would not reveal the purchase price but signalled major upgrades over the next 12 months: “Customers will see many changes, including the makeover of the destination for locals and tourists to create a ‘tourist hub’ as part of the continued development of Arthurs Seat as a significant tourist destination,” he said. “It will have bed-and-breakfast accommodation, areas for private and wedding functions, an area and stage for ‘On-the-Green concerts’, souvenir shop in the cellar door, children’s playground and even a micro-brewery.” Menus changes will focus on fast, casual dining and fresh food.
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Mornington News 2 February 2016
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