Sairah Butt, Harborough Market Manager shares changes they have made and are continuing to make within the market in order to keep people safe and protected. Find out how you can work safely here.
Video Transcript
During this lockdown period we felt that it was really vital that we remained open serving the community and offering a viable alternative to the supermarkets.
At present we have seven foodhall traders working here and to enable them to trade, we’ve introduced a one-way system in the market, we have a sanitising station upon entrance, door staff to control restricted admittance and we have clear 2 meter floor markings so that shoppers are very clear about working their way around the market.
During the lockdown, the general hall has had to remain closed. But as you can see, we’re getting ready for a potential opening on June 16 in line with government guidance.
We have had to reduce the number of stalls we have in the general hall. We normally have 24 pop-up stores, but because of the social distancing and keeping traders safely apart, we’ve had to reduce this to nine.
We’re hoping this makes the traders feel confident to return, and that the public are confident with our measures, that are a continuation from those from the food hall.
Staying open for us has been vital, but we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Harborough District Council and NABMA, the National Association of British Market Authorities.
Sharing best practice amongst other market operators has been invaluable to us. And for anyone else looking to restart their market, whether on June 15 or in the interim period, I would say talk to other market managers, find out what others are doing, you’re not alone during all of this.
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