Smaller, but beloved Treacle Market is back in business

THE Treacle Market will reopen this month as it takes place for the first time since February.

A considerably smaller event than normal will be held in Macclesfield Market Place and the surrounding streets on Sunday, August 30, from 10am to 3.30pm.

There will be no music, tables or benches as the emphasis is placed on ‘shop and go’.

Organiser Jane Munro said: “We are committed to enabling small businesses to trade again and giving shoppers the chance to reengage with the delicious and beautiful goods they have been missing.

”But in a modest and sensible way. Everyone’s safety is our priority.

”It will be very sad not to have music at the market and we will be missing favourites such as Annie’s Saints and Sinners and Morris dancers but it is essential that we do not encourage people to gather together.”

Traders will wear masks or visors and use antibacterial cleanser on their hands and stalls and this will be available throughout the open air market for visitors to also use.

Customers are asked to treat this market differently to normal and not see it is a social event, simply to shop and go.

Street food stalls will be there as usual but food needs to be taken away to eat rather than to be consumed at the market.

Reduced stall numbers will allow more generous spacing, contactless payment is encouraged and shoppers are asked to bring their own bags.

Jane added: “Whilst we would have been permitted to reopen the market before now we care deeply about the town we are a part of and have deliberately hung back and taken our time.

“We really hope shoppers will respect that we are taking small steps, support our traders and respect each other with patience and good humour.

”We are all so looking forward to seeing our loyal Macc customers who have supported us so determinedly over the last ten years and please know we will be grinning like Cheshire cats under those masks on the day.”

Customers are being reminded to move around and queue while respecting the 2m socially distancing rule.

The Treacle Market returns in a reduced form and people are being encouraged to ‘shop and go’