Market forces about to be dealt damaging blow

Business in Halifax’s indoor market is on a knife edge amid ‘panic-buying’ according to many of its traders.

Although there has been an increase on trade off the back of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the main customers for the market the elderly, which are most vunerable to the deadly disease, are being advised to stay at home.

Nick Joannou, Halifax Market director of tenant association, fears that although most traders are seeing profitable figures this week, independent traders will be hit hard in the coming weeks.

He said: “It’s been good business for the butchers in the market. I think people are buying a bit more while they can, but this will only last for so long.

“Many of the usual customers for the market are the elderly who are being told to stay at home.

“If the elderly don’t come out it will decimate the market.

“One idea we’d like to see introduced during this unprecedented time is to introduce free parking around the market for a period of time.”

Richard O’Shea, owner of Fresh Fish Pisces, on Albion Street, said: “People have been buying threes times more than they would usually buy because they know what’s around the corner.

“I’m worried about the long term because I don’t know what’s going to happen. I get most of my stock imported from Iceland, Norway and Faroe Islands, which look to be stopping production and closing their borders.

“I’m only a small business, so if they close borders, what are we going to do?”

Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Resources, said: “We know this is an extremely difficult and uncertain time for everyone, including our business community, and we want to reassure our local businesses and market traders that we’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact of COVID-19.

“All Council-run markets remain open and generally wellstocked with fresh produce.

“We’re encouraging people to support market traders and independent businesses and shop locally where possible, bearing in mind the Government’s advice on social distancing and staying at home.

“The Government’s package of support for businesses in response to COVID-19 includes a small business grant of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief.

“Market traders will be eligible for this if they’re registered for business rates and receiving one of the reliefs. We are contacting eligible businesses and market traders to provide the relevant advice.”