When will the Old Bus Depot Markets re-open?

The markets have been closed since March 29 due to COVID-19 restrictions but also because the roof was being replaced and the owners wanted to revamp its food hall.

With no new COVID-19 cases in the national capital and social distancing restrictions easing, the markets have not yet reopened and no firm date was in place.

Old Bus Depot Markets director Anthony Niravong said to be viable, the markets needed to be allowed to have 3000 people allowed across its cavernous building on Wentworth Avenue.

Mr Niravong was also waiting for the ACT government to renew a licence with him and his partners to operate the markets.

"We want to reach out to the ACT government and ensure we have a future on the site and a future for the stallholders," he said.

"We are still waiting to re-sign the licence and we hope that will be forthcoming soon."

The markets were also closed temporarily prior to March when their roof was damaged in the January hailstorm. Crowds were also down over summer due to bushfire smoke.

The ACT government had already agreed to replace the roof even before the hailstorm. Work was still continuing.

Mr Niravong said 2020 "had been a challenge" and stallholders were surviving on JobKeeper, online sales or by attending NSW markets.

He had plans to revamp the food hall section of the markets before they reopened.

"We want to bounce back, we want to have the full experience. We don't want to open to a half-experience because it doesn't work for us, it doesn't work for the stallholders," he said.

"We've got our COVID plan."

An ACT government spokesperson said it was "currently working with the Old Bus Depot Markets to reopen to the Canberra public".

"While the licence with the OBDM operators is due for renewal there are no issues with the markets reopening as the existing licence is valid until the renewal is signed under a hold over clause," they said.

ACT Health received an event application from the markets on November 17 for 500 visitors, the spokesperson said.

"Due to easing of gathering restrictions which came into effect on 13 November 2020, events with between 201 and 500 people no longer required a formal exemption. However, organisers are required to register their event and COVID Safe Plan with ACT Health. ACT Health is yet to receive an exemption application from the Bus Depot Markets for an event of 3000 people."

The events exemption team had advised the owners and "ACT Health looks forward to receiving an application for an exemption, should the market organisers wish to submit one".

While the markets have operated in Canberra for 28 years, it has had new owners since 2016, two local families.

Mr Niravong's family was one of the owners. They have three Asian Imperial grocery stores in Canberra, started in 1985 by his father Danny.

Mr Niravong said he was passionate about the markets and supporting the small businesses which operated within them.

"It resonated with me. It was a new challenge," he said.

"I love the atmosphere, I love the stories of the storeholders. It's a unique thing because it's one of the last few hand-made, Australian-made markets in Australia."