Parklea Markets may soon open an extra day a week in a move to try and trade out of receivership.
Owner Con Constantine has applied through his company, Almona Pty Ltd, to open the markets on Fridays, as well as weekends.
Blacktown councillors debated the plan last night with a slim majority of the Planning and Development Committee recommending it be approved.
Councillor Alan Pendleton spoke against the proposal. He said the council had dealt with many problems at the markets over the past 20 years, and argued that opening one extra day could lead to more trading hours in the future.
That, he said, could have an adverse effect on other retail centres in Blacktown.
‘‘This venue was approved as weekend markets and we have lived with that, not a problem,’’ Cr Pendleton said.
‘‘We had an application not long ago for Thursday and Monday trading.
‘‘So if this becomes Friday, then what do we do when an application comes in for Thursday, and then what about Wednesday?
‘‘So you’ll have a retail centre there that was in its first instance just a nursery.’’
Councillor Tony Bleasdale argued in favour of the proposal.
He said the main objections to the extended opening hours had come from Rouse Hill Town Centre, which itself managed markets, and should not be considered significant.
Mr Constantine’s application should be judged on its merits he said, rather than any issues the council had had with him in the past.
‘‘We have an application here to attract more people and increase the economic position of the city,’’ Cr Bleasdale said.
‘‘I go there regularly with my grandchildren. People love to go to Parklea Markets, that’s because it’s a great place to take the family.
‘‘Not because the person who owns it is a former councillor of this great city.’’
A recommendation to approve Friday trading at the markets will be voted on at the ordinary council meeting next Wednesday night.
Mr Constantine’s Almona Pty Ltd was placed in receivership in August 2011.
Documents at the time said the business was $53 million in debt to two banks but had assets worth about $130 million.