Vital food stalls at Newcastle’s historic Grainger Market remain open for business – with extra home deliveries launched to get essential supplies to those in need.
Businesses selling fresh fruit and veg, fish, and meat from the city centre market, as well as its pet store, are allowed to stay open during the lockdown measures imposed to help slow the spread of coronavirus across the UK.
Council bosses confirmed that the market will open on reduced hours of 9am to 4.30pm, but said that was under review and urged shoppers to stick to social distancing guidelines and stay 2m apart from other people while in the Grainger Market.
Demand for produce has been high, with shopper numbers peaking on Saturday when all of the marketplace’s butchers selling out of meat completely.
Council parking officers have been drafted in to carry out deliveries from the Grainger Market to people who are self-isolating due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Orders can be placed online at graingerdelivery.com.
Coun Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Everyone in Newcastle knows that the Grainger Market is a jewel in our city’s crown and somewhere that brings people together and has a real sense of community.
“I am absolutely delighted that we as a council can support them to continue to supply households across the city with fresh and local produce even if they cannot physically visit its stalls at this most difficult of times.”
The delivery website states that around 150 orders per day can currently be accommodated, though that could increase in the coming days.
It adds: “At Grainger Market , we recognise that during this global health crisis it is essential that we work as a city-wide community to ensure we all get the food provisions we all need, safely and at an affordable price.
“Working closely with multiple Market traders, we have created a simplified ordering system, set boxes of fruit and vegetables from Brian Meurs & Sons, bakery goods from The French Oven, meat products from Premier Meats and cheese from Matthew’s Cheese.
“At the moment we can only offer limited supplies and contents are subject to change based on stocks and availability.”
