Regular Waiouru market days

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 443, 14 July 1992, Page 5

Regular Waiouru market days

BY

JAN

SAVELL

Regular Market Days are soon to be a feature of Waiouru. The market days will be held at the AGI (Army Garrison Institute) next to the cinema in Carnp. John Peden, new manager for the Waiouru AGI, is eager to support community groups wanting to raise money

and provide a focus for individuals wanting to sell goods. "We'll provide the indoor venue along with trestle tables and as much space as they want," he said. "There will be a charge of $5 per stall and this will fund the advertising. As long as prospective stall-holders contact me

ten days before I'll ensure they get Market Day advertising in both the Ruapehu Bulletin and the Tussock Times." Market days will be held on the last Saturday of each month. If necessary the AGI will add stalls of their own but John would rather it be a community facility. Last Saturday residents got a

taste of the sort of bargains they can expect when the AGI used the Market Day venue to sell some discontinued lines at cost price. "We've got a lot of slow moving stock at the moment and it's got to go. Stock turn-around is the key to the success of any business," said John Peden. John is proud of his record of always operating the AGI's he has managed at the lowest margin possible. The Armed Forces Canteen Council, which runs the AGI, was established by an act of Parliament in 1948. Its role is to service military establishments but the stores are open to the public. All profits are returned to the services. "Our aim is to get that profit returned to Waiouru," said John. He sees the AGI as a community asset and he aims to have soldiers and local civilians wanting to shop there. "I thrive on people who have had a bad deal. I get a kick out of convincing them to give me a shot and finally winning a loyal customer. We both benefit from it."