A Kirkby Market trader has thanked customers for their loyalty during the pandemic and said he hopes the trend of supporting local businesses continues.
In a Downing Street briefing on May 25, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that outdoor markets would be able to open from June 1 as he outlined a plan to ease more of the lockdown measures.
With social distancing measures also in place, on June 15 all other shops will be allowed to reopen, but a number of small and large scale businesses have been told they won't be able to trade until at least July 4.
Kirkby Market, like many others across the country, has since reopened in line with government guidelines, with 90% of businesses returning to trade.
Knowsley Council confirmed 47 businesses have since reopened at the market and that businesses that are currently unable to open due to Government guidelines include barbers and beauty establishments.
Around 10 businesses have continued to trade throughout the period, selling essential items such as food and cleaning products.
Owner of Martin’s Deli, Marty Davies, 68, has been working at the market for three decades, after taking over the business from his father-in-law who was one of the original traders.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the deli has stayed open and adapted to new measures and Marty said he hasn't seen a decrease in customers.
He told the ECHO: "I think people appreciate the fact we have carried on as normal and we’re on the corner of the market, so we’re quite open, so I think quite a lot of customers felt safe.
"There were queues outside and social distancing in place with queues at the side.
"The businesses that stayed open, we're more or less in the same area so I wouldn’t say it was eerie, it was a different atmosphere.
"As you can imagine the market is a bit of a community. We all know each other so it was unusual and different when everyone wasn't here.
"Regular customers have been coming back and so did a few new customers as well. Some customers were surprised to hear that we were still open."
Marty said the market is a safe environment and regular customers have respected and followed the guidance.
He also hopes the trend of supporting local businesses continues.
He said: "It’s an opportunity for a lot more customers to come now more of the stalls are open.
"We’re carrying on the same. We’re following the government guidelines and there’s social distancing in place that people are following.
"We haven't noticed a drop in trade so lets hope when all the traders come back, they notice the same thing with support from all the customers.
"I would like to thank all the customers that have stayed loyal to us, there have been a lot of them and the market managers and Knowsley Council for working with us to keep it open."
Coronavirus safety measures in place across Kirkby Market include:
- Installed signage, including floor markers to remind visitors of social distancing
- A one-way system
- Regular PA announcements with social distancing and hygiene messages
- Additional cleansing routines
Signage being used in the market will also be used across the town centres in Knowsley, to reinforce the same messages about social distancing and staying safe to visitors and shoppers.
Knowsley Council said they want to reassure anyone coming into the town centres that all appropriate measures have been put in place to make visits as safe as possible and that preparations to re-open the market safely have been shared as best practice by the Government.
In addition to the measures already introduced into Kirkby Market and the town centres, Knowsley’s parking enforcement officers have recommenced patrols this week.
Knowsley Council said this will help to ensure people are parking safely and considerately in town centres in advance of non-essential retailers re-opening this Monday, June 15.
As part of a commitment to support the recovery of town centres in the borough, Knowsley Council will continue its suspension of parking charges across Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot town centres.
Cllr Tony Brennan, cabinet member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "We have followed government guidance regarding the re-opening of Kirkby Market, with social distancing measures implemented both in the market and the wider town centre which includes signage and floor markings.
"We are also reiterating hygiene messages throughout the market.
"Our staff on-site are monitoring the market on a daily basis to ensure it is operating safely and visitors are following social distancing measures.
"This is an important step in helping to kick-start the local economy, but has taken a lot of planning and preparation to do so in order to prioritise the safety of the traders and visitors."
