Charlottetown's outdoor Sunday market moving again, but eventual return to Queen Street a possibility

The Downtown Charlottetown Farmers Market will not be held at the green space at Founders' Hall this year, after all.

Instead, the outdoor Sunday market will move to Confederation Landing Park, a larger space on the city's waterfront across a parking lot from Founders' Hall.

Charlottetown council voted Tuesday night to change the location for 2024.

"This could turn out to be a great site, and it becomes a yearly event," said Mayor Philip Brown. "Time will tell, and the test will start when the first market opens in June."

The market has been held Sundays on Queen Street for the past 14 summers.

The market has been held Sundays on Queen Street for the past 14 summers. (CBC)

The move from Queen Street was prompted after safety concerns, including emergency response access, were flagged by Charlottetown's fire, police, and public works departments.

But some vendors were critical of the move to Founders' Hall. They said the space was too small and not accessible for people with disabilities. Vendors selling hot food were told they could not set up at the location because Founders' Hall already has established food businesses on the premises.

The city said the move to Confederation Landing Park should alleviate many of those concerns, but council is open to moving the market back to Queen Street in the future.

In a separate resolution on Tuesday, councillors voted to instruct staff to work with fire and protective services to find ways to make that happen in a safe way.