Markets bring streets alive

Gearing up for the Inglewood night market are:, Luis Stojkovic and his wife Cristina, local butcher Vince Garreffa and Diana Lopez, owner of the Lucky 7 Deli. Picture: Nic Ellis

It's one of the first signs that a Perth summer is well and truly in full swing.

The suburbs become a hub of multicoloured lights and decorated gazebos and the air is filled with the light smoke from freshly cooked street food.

For Inglewood business owner Vince Garreffa, a wander through the street markets on a balmy summer night conjures up memories of overseas holidays and the enjoyment of tasting local produce straight off the grill.

It is this atmosphere the butcher wants to recreate when Beaufort Street, Inglewood, is closed for the first of its weekly night markets on Monday.

Mr Garreffa said twilight markets, which were once a rarity, had become a summer staple for Perth locals in recent years and were equally popular with tourists.

Demand has seen more than a dozen evening markets held around Perth during summer, some spanning well past the busy Christmas period.

"People travel these days. They go all over the world and if it's one thing that almost everyone does, it's going to the markets, be it a poor or rich market," Mr Garreffa said. "It helps people connect with the real food of the area."

Food stalls at the inaugural markets will have a distinct international feel, with vendors selling Italian, Greek, Mexican and Colombian foods, as well traditional Australian burgers.

Mr Garreffa said organisers were keen to see the eastern Perth suburb gain a reputation for being something more than the poor cousin of its better-known neighbour Mt Lawley.

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Markets bring streets alive