Management of the Fremantle Markets has been likened to a “Russian dictatorship” after a popular long-time trader was evicted shortly after voicing support for re-establishing a tenants’ association.

Long-running tensions over rents and advertising fees, allegedly rundown facilities and claims of bullying on the part of operator Fremantle Markets Pty Ltd (FMPL) boiled over last month when Levi Holden, the owner of Levi’s Doughnuts, was served an eviction notice after more than 10 years of trading.

The move came after Venture Analytics principals Tom Cockle and Paul Ford distributed a letter to stallholders in April outlining how their rents compared with other Australian markets and suggesting the formation of a tenants’ association to challenge rents and fight for better conditions.

Camera Icon The Fremantle Markets. Credit: Daniel Wilkins

Both men were banned from the markets for five years by FMPL and Mr Holden claims after he told other stallholders he was in favour of a tenants’ association, he too received his marching orders.

“To have my business stripped away from me after 10 years, I’m devastated,” he said.

“I’ve got three kids under six, I’m fighting for my livelihood and I’m not going to lie down easily.”

Mr Holden’s eviction was this week the subject of unsuccessful mediation and he will be forced to vacate his stall at the end of next week while he considers further, costly, legal avenues.

Mr Holden’s predicament prompted fellow traders to join the popular stallholder in speaking out about “Orwellian” conditions they feel they face.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, multiple stallholders described feeling fearful of FMPL, which is helmed by chief executive Natasha Atkinson and owned by brothers John and Jamie Murdoch.

They said it was common knowledge their interactions with fellow traders were monitored through the Fremantle Market’s CCTV network and highlighted concerns management seemed happy to evict anyone perceived as a troublemaker.

“You quickly realise you have to toe the line or face being booted out if you don’t,” said one long-term tenant.

Lack of air-conditioning has consistently been raised by owners as a major issue, with some reporting temperatures inside the venue soared above 45C during the height of summer.

“Management have air-conditioned offices but told all the traders there isn’t enough power for the whole market, so they painted the roof white and installed some shade clothes instead,” a different stallholder said.

“That is exactly the kind of issue you need a tenants association for because then you can’t be singled out for bringing it up.”

A third trader, who reported his turnover had declined 15 per cent in the past year amid falling foot traffic, said he supported the establishment of a tenant’s association but was terrified there might be consequences for speaking publicly.

“Everyone knows not to ask any questions,” he said. “I feel like it is a Russian-dictatorship style of running a business.”

Ms Atkinson rejected all allegations of punitive treatment and bullying and said: “All our engagement with stallholders suggests the vast majority are extremely happy with management and our efforts.

“Every single complaint is dealt with fairly, promptly and responsibly.

“Since I have been CEO, I have never received a single written complaint about Fremantle Markets management.”

She said Mr Holden was not evicted over his support for a tenants’ association, but would not comment further.

Ms Atkinson also said FMPL had approached the City of Fremantle about installing air-conditioning but the works required the approval of the Heritage Council, which she said was unlikely to ever be granted.

Clinton Barnes was turfed from the markets in March after 10 years running a T-shirt business valued at $100,000 during the course of recent divorce proceedings.

“I got an email saying I had one month to leave, asked for a reason and wasn’t given one,” he said. “It came down to the fact I didn’t have lease, was on a month-on-month agreement and they didn’t have to give me one.”

Mr Barnes now operates his business from a Bibra Lake sports centre, paying vastly reduced rent for five times the space.

Ms Atkinson said “the serious nature” of Mr Barnes’ eviction could not be discussed for “confidentiality reasons”.

Camera Icon Zac Errington, owner of gluten-free bakery Darrington’s, spent two years at Fremantle Markets before being evicted. Credit: Daniel Wilkins

Zac Errington ran gluten-free bakery Darrington’s out of the Fremantle Markets for nearly two years but said he was severely hamstrung by FMPL right from the outset.

“In the first two weeks I sold huge amounts of meat pies but then they came along and said someone else is selling pies and banned me from doing the same,” Mr Errington said.

“This was all with no prior warning and despite the fact I was taking over a previous bakery business that had been selling pies and generic coke with no issues.”

Mr Errington shifted his focus to gluten-free pastries and spent two years racking up credit card debts to try and keep his business afloat before he had to fold — but not without one final slap in the face.

“They didn’t take me off their mailing list and shortly after I left I saw my stall being advertised for just over half of what I had been paying in rent,” he said.

“I could easily have afforded that but whenever I told them I was struggling they said any reduction in rent was unfeasible.”