Jelgava Market opens in new location near railway station
Since 1 August, the Jelgava Market has been operating at its new premises; the previous site has lost its market status.
The Jelgava Market has opened in a new area, located at 19A Zemgales Prospekts and 2B Sporta Street, close to the railway station. The former market territory at the intersection of Ausekļa and Uzvaras streets has lost its market status.
According to the Jelgava municipality, the market status was granted along with a set of new market regulations approved at a council meeting. These rules define the trading order that all vendors must follow. The market operates daily from 7:00 to 19:00.
For this season, traders can sign lease agreements for spots either in the pavilion or in the open-air area. In the latter case, they may use their own tents or sell from vehicles. More than 100 tenants are currently working at the Jelgava Market.
Vladimirs Šalajevs, chairman of the board of SIA “Jelgavas tirgus”, said that the lease process is continuing. Permanent traders were given the first opportunity to choose the best spots in the pavilion. This month, renting of temporary trading places has also begun in line with the approved price list. Contracts have already been signed with nearly all meat vendors, and negotiations are continuing with other food and manufactured goods traders.
The pavilion already houses the pharmacy “Apotheka” and the “Central Laboratory”. In August, a café, a pet shop and a shop of the Iļģuciems kvass factory are expected to open. The supermarket “ABrands” is scheduled to open in the second half of August. Šalajevs noted that this combination of vendors allows residents to buy quality agricultural products and receive everyday services in one place. The supermarket’s assortment will complement rather than compete with the market, as it contains almost no fresh vegetables or meat.
Parking rules near the market have changed as well. While the market was not yet operating, the newly built parking lot was free. Now, cars can be parked free of charge for two hours, after which a fee of one euro per hour applies. A day ticket from 7:00 to 19:00 costs two euros, while a night ticket from 19:00 to 7:00 costs one euro. A monthly season ticket for long-term parking is available for 15 euros. Cameras installed at the parking lot will record vehicle licence plates.
The new market building near the railway station was constructed by the private company PS “JLa Developers”.
