'Regular markets' allowed to be held during lockdown in Chichester

Residents can continue to purchase fresh food products and plants at regular markets after Chichester District Council gave permission for a 'small number of traders' to operate a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

A spokesperson said: "In line with the Government guidance, only food products including, fruit, eggs, baked goods, fish, flowers and plants will be available to purchase.

"The markets will be held in Cattle Market car park in Chichester from 8am, with the necessary social distancing measures in place.

"Traders attending this market would normally trade as part of the general market operated by Brays Associates, who are not running the Chichester market during this period of wider national coronavirus restrictions."

The Chichester Farmers’ Market will also continue, while the national coronavirus restrictions remain in place, on the first and third Friday of the month.

"This market is also currently limited to food products and plants, in line with the Government guidelines," the spokesperson said.

Chichester Farmers’ Market is held in Cattle Market car park from 9am until 2pm.

Tony Dignum, district council cabinet member for growth, place and regeneration, said: “We have been working closely with traders who sell goods deemed ‘essential’ by the government to allow them to keep trading during this period of national restrictions, and we are really pleased to be able to offer them this opportunity.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult year for all of our traders and local businesses and we are keen to do as much as we can to support them.

“We know that many residents rely on these markets for their fresh produce and so it is important they are able to keep trading."

Councillor Dignum said safety is 'our top priority' and the council will 'ensure that social distancing measures are in place' at these markets to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

He added: “As we get closer to Christmas, we have launched a new campaign to encourage residents to continue supporting our local traders and businesses in these difficult times by shopping locally to buy their festive food and gifts.

“If you’re buying gifts while the national restrictions are in place, please remember that many of our local business and some market traders offer click and collect and delivery services. Small and local businesses often stock items that are made locally and aren’t available anywhere else, providing a great range of choice and unique products.

“Our businesses have worked hard to make their premises Covid-secure, and when non-essential shops are able to reopen their doors once again, you’ll be able to enjoy a safe shopping experience.

"To encourage people to shop locally and to help with social distancing, we are offering free parking every weekend in December in Avenue De Chartres car park, Chichester, and people can also use the MiPermit app to select two hours and get the third free in most of our car parks across the district during December.”

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