Full re-opening of town market days
HINCKLEY Market is set to fully reopen over the next few weeks.
Most regular traders at the weekly event on Castle Street have said they will return, with some vendors to change location so that customers can comply with social distancing.
The new structure will also help ensure that there is space for queues outside of shops and avoid pinch points, where people cannot pass each other with two-metre distancing. The market will also be spread over a larger area, so that there is enough space between each stall.
Stewards, known as High Street Helpers, will be on hand in town to help advise where a specific market trader is and to help prevent groups from gathering and causing a blockage.
Hand sanitising stations have also been provided for shoppers to use freely.
Councillor Keith Nichols, executive member for town centres, said: “We are proud that we have been able to run the market during the pandemic, even on a limited scale.
“This underpins our ethos as a proud market town whose market has been trading since 1311.
“Town centres have been hit hard by coronavirus and we are pleased we’re now able to take the first steps towards reopening our town centres and supporting the recovery of our economy and the market reopening fully will certainly benefit everyone.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the market but would respectfully ask for everyone’s safety that we all remember to social distance and keep two metres apart while out in public spaces.”
Hinckley Market is open Friday, Saturday and Monday.
All non-essential shops will be able to open in England from June 15.
The following traders are expected to return over the coming few weeks:
Friday
Greetings cards and wrapping paper Wild bird food and timber products Cosmetics
Sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits & crisps
Electrical goods, DVD players, HiFi, batteries, phones and smoking accessories
Flowers, plants, bulbs and wreaths Watch batteries, straps and key cutting
Fresh Seafood Products Doors, windows, conservatories, soffits, fascias
Hot and cold food and drinks, burgers, hot dogs, chips
Fruit, salad and vegetables Bread and cakes
Saturday
Dress fabrics
Greetings cards and gift wrap Wild bird food and timber products Mobile phones and accessories Cosmetics, hair and body products Sweets, cakes, biscuits, crisps Electrical goods
Millinery, underwear, nightwear, hosiery
Watch batteries, straps and watches Windows, doors, soffits and fascias Hot and cold food & drinks, burgers, hot dogs, chips Bakery items, cakes and bread Shrubs and trees, plants, fresh and silk flowers
Fruit and vegetables
Monday
Dress fabrics
Greeting cards and wrapping paper Wild bird food and timber products Cosmetics
Millinery, underwear, nightwear, hosiery
Watch batteries, straps and watches Windows, doors, soffits and fascias Hot & cold food & drinks, burgers, hot dogs, chips Gents/boys workwear and sportswear
Plants
Fruit & vegetables