Market stall holders keen to be back

Market traders are eager to get back as the easing of lockdown restrictions continue to be announced by central government.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this week that markets could open from Monday June 1 so long as they were “COVID safe”.

The chair of Spalding’s Market Traders, Dave Burgess told The Voice that many market traders were raring to get back to work.

But as we went to press on Tuesday night it remained unclear whether markets would be able to re-open straight away next week.

A spokesman for South Holland District Council which operates Spalding, Long Sutton and Holbeach markets said that the authority had been in contact with market traders and was also awaiting official government guidance.

The spokesman said the authority needed to be confident re-opening was safe for both traders and customers.

Mr Burgess said: “I think most of the traders will be back when we can.

“A lot of those I’ve spoken to are keen to get back out as we’ve not got any money from takings for the last two months.

“We’re waiting to hear from the council who we believe will have to make a number of changes.

“It might just be one row of stalls so people can stand back.

“People would have to keep two metres apart and it may be that street wardens have to be used to keep an eye on that.

“I think the authority is supposed to provide hand sanitizer and toilets which are currently closed because of the restrictions.”

Car show rooms could open also open from June 1 while the Prime Minister has said all “non-essential” shops including those on the High Street, department stores and shopping centres could re-open from June 15.

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