Buxton Market brings back more stalls as lockdown restrictions are eased

When Covid-19 social distancing measures were imposed in March the historic market was forced to cancel a full programme of stalls planned for its Saturday and Tuesday sessions.

Specialist food and quirky vintage stalls were among those planned for the Easter weekend – before all retailers apart from essential ones were forced to close.

However Vinny’s Fruit and Veg was allowed to remain at the site outside the Methodist Church every Tuesday and Saturday.

Barriers allowed shoppers in need of fruit and vegetables which were sold out in all the supermarkets to buy vital food in a safe way in the open air.

However following announcements of a gradual easing of restrictions other stalls have begun to return.

As well as essentials such as eggs, fish and groceries shoppers can now find plants, natural soaps, cosmetics, incense, bath salts, clothing and accessories, knitting wool, bedding and vintage and collectables.

Caitlin Bisknell, a director of community interest Buxton Markets Company, said being in the open air made shopping on Market Place much safer than local shops.

She added: “When you’ve got nice weather it’s not a bad place to be on a sunny day - it’s a really convivial atmosphere and it’s survived well over the last few weeks.

“The market has been good for Buxton and we hope people continue to shop on the market and make it their shop of choice.”

Buxton Market is located outside the Methodist Church at present but as more stallholders return it will expand towards the town hall.

Caitlin said a special system was in place to allow people to queue safely - while for those in need of just essentials a separate entrance was being proposed to slash waiting time.

She said: “We’ll hopefully have more traders back on the market soon but given the guidance on social distancing we’ll have more room to that.”

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