Food market to continue this weekend with same traders as fees discussed by council
The same eight food stalls will be returning to a town centre market this weekend after reopening to the public last Saturday.
Swaffham Town Council held an emergency meeting this afternoon in which further measures were discussed to ensure its food market continues to be as safe as possible.
Auctioneer and district councillor Fabian Eagle was providing assistance to customers in the Market Place last weekend, and he ensured all areas were sprayed after use.
And town councillor Lindsay Beech has now donated disposable gloves and aprons for volunteers, staff and customers to wear this weekend if they wish to do so.
A one-way queuing system was set up last weekend as well as chains and barriers so that people maintained a two metre distance when buying essential food items.
Speaking during the meeting, deputy town clerk Claire Smith thanked customers for observing social distancing regulations last weekend.
She added: "It will be the same time next week with the same stall holders who were happy with how it went last week."
Town councillor Brendan Holmes said: "Well done for how it was actually run. The operation was good."
The council discussed the prospect of offering market places to the traders for free for four weeks as part of a transitional period before reverting back to the normal fees.
Town clerk Richard Bishop mentioned phased charging, but the decision will be taken up by the council's market committee when it returns to operation a week on Monday.
A statement on the council's website says: "Thank you to traders and shoppers that attended the market last Saturday for respecting and following the social distancing guidelines and allowing the market to run as safely as possible.
"A small food market will again be held in Swaffham Market place this Saturday, 9th May 2020. The changed layout, one-way system with regulated queuing and social distancing measures will again be in place.
"The regular food traders, supplying essential food items such as fruit and veg, meat, fish, bread and cheese will be there from 8am to 1pm."