Dunedin Mobile Trading Association secretary Hannah Scott, of coffee van Jump'n Java, said the association was exploring Dunedin spaces in which to set up a night market.
The idea was born from the successful night market begun by mobile traders in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, with help from the Christchurch City Council.
''We would love to do something like that in Dunedin,'' Miss Scott said.
The Christchurch market is held every Friday night in summer and then once a month in winter.
To start, the Dunedin market would open one night a month, probably the first Friday of every month, to gauge the public's desire for the market.
The first market could be held in November, Miss Scott said.
A Dunedin City Council car park, between Crawford St, Vogel St and Water St was a location suggested by the council. The association was investigating whether the space would work.
The association envisaged the market having tables for dining and live music to ensure people stayed for a social event, she said.
The council was willing to help make the market a reality, she said.
''The council have been amazing.''
Council heritage policy planner Dr Glen Hazelton said the council would help the vendors set up the market.
''I think it would be a cool addition to the city ... when the traders come out it brings a lot of vibrancy to the street ... anything to bring some more vibrancy to the central city has got to be a good thing.''
The council would fund minor improvements, such as planting trees, providing furniture, access to the site and installing rubbish bins. Council staff would provide free advice and help the vendors liaise with community groups, who could help, he said.
The market nearly secured a site earlier this year.
Dr Hazelton suggested the market be created on the empty block of land in lower Rattray St, next door to the Crown Hotel.
The land, owned by Lincoln Darling, was where the building housing the Dragon Cafe stood, before it was demolished.
Mr Darling had offered a free lease on the land for the night market to be held.
Dr Hazelton said the market stalled because some vendors believed the site was too small; had limited foot traffic; was a ''dark and shady wind tunnel'' and had no power or running water.
''It all got a bit hard.''
Since the project stalled, Mr Darling had put that land on the market.
