RESIDENTS are mounting a campaign to save Rozelle Markets, which they claim are in danger of being ‘corporatised’ after the founder was pushed out in favour of a company that runs a number of markets across Sydney.

Management has been awarded to Blue Sky Markets which runs markets in Bondi, Chinatown, Manly, Avalon and Dee Why.

Locals claim the Department of Education’s decision to award the tender to a market franchise will rob the Rozelle market of its unique flavour.

Katerina Protopsaltis has launched a petition to return management of the markets to Jeannie Albrecht, who started the market 24 years ago in the grounds of the Rozelle Public School in Darling St.

So far, it has received more than 700 signatures.

“Jeannie Albrecht, a mum whose kids went to Rozelle Public School, got the idea to start a market in the school grounds after holding a car boot sale to raise funds for the school and began the now almost famous Rozelle Markets,” Ms Protopsaltis said.

“For three years she could not afford to pay anyone to help run the markets and paid herself $100 a week.

“While she single-handedly ran the market, her two young daughters would set up a stall selling chocolate hedgehogs.”

media_camera The markets were started 24 years ago by Rozelle Public School mum Jeannie Albrech.

People all over Sydney are madly in love with Rozelle Markets and first time visitors remark on how exceptional they are because of the variety of bric-a-brac and lack of overpriced new products or rubbishy cheap imports, the petition says.

Blue Sky Market’s Ross Alexander said he ran a small business and to suggest he was a corporation was not accurate.

“I am fully committed to retaining the local culture as I know how valuable it is. There will still be antiques and collectibles and the stall fees would remain the same in the immediate future,” he said.

media_camera Blue Sky Markets also run the market at Avalon. Picture: Damian Shaw

Rozelle Markets announced the change on their Facebook page saying notice was given to Rozelle school parents that the current and longstanding provider was about to be replaced.

“Based on the NSW government tender process, the committee considered each tender application very carefully against specific criteria,” the post said.

“We can’t believe that we are being sacrificed for 30 pieces of silver.

“The “Save Rozelle Flea Market” Facebook page has been set up by the very concerned community.”

The Blue Sky Market website says it creates “bustling weekly markets that bring the community together in a fun and vibrant setting”.

An Education Department spokesman said as part of its commitment to accountability and transparency, it requires all public schools to review every five years any commercial agreements they enter into. This includes a mandatory open tender process.

“After the agreement with the Rozelle Markets operator expired in 2014, an open tender process was conducted involving the Rozelle Public School principal, a school staff representative, the president of the school’s P&C, a parent representative from the school council and a representative of the Department’s Assets Management Unit.”

“All tender applicants were required to demonstrate how they would ensure the markets remained a vibrant part of the Rozelle community while also maintaining the school’s commitment to creativity and sustainability.”

“Blue Sky Markets was assessed by the Tender Evaluation Committee as best qualified to fulfil the tender requirement”, the spokesman said.