Richmond Night Market has applied to the city for a permit for the next three years – albeit with a late start this year.
The market, located on vacant lots near River Rock Casino, typically attracts thousands of people over approximately five months but it was fully cancelled last year because of COVID-19.
And its opening this year depends on public health orders. The market is considered an "event," currently banned in B.C.
If the ban is kept in place, the night market will remain shuttered again this year, notes a city staff report going to council this week.
If restrictions are eased and the night market is allowed to operate, it will have to comply with all public health orders in place at that time.
Firework Productions, owned by Raymond Cheung, is asking the city for a permit this year to possibly start on May 21 and run to the end of the year, depending on public health orders.
The night market owner plans to have 150 retail vendors and 130 food vendors. It would operate Friday to Sunday, on statutory holidays as well as on Thursday evenings in July and August.
Despite the application to run until Dec. 31, the market would only run on 80 days in 2021 – like in other years.
The site where the night market operates has been the subject of a rezoning application, first submitted in 2012 but resubmitted last October. The proposed development would include a high-density commercial development.
If needed, the night market permit would be modified if the development process begins.
