How Chesterfield market will start getting back to a new normal in a couple of days’ time

In line with the latest Government advice, regular traders will be invited to return to the town centre to work on the town’s general market from Monday.

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Further general markets are scheduled for June 5 and June 6.

No casual traders will be allowed to join the regular market traders at this stage.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, the council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Our priority is to ensure that Chesterfield town centre is as safe as possible for everyone – our staff, our market traders and the visiting public.

“We have conducted a specific review looking at how the council can help our outdoor market traders to start to return by introducing physical changes to the layout of the market to maintain safe social distancing and signage reminding people from different households to keep two metres apart and to regularly wash or gel their hands.

“The council will not be restarting the Thursday popular flea market at this stage.

“We need to first learn the lessons from how next week’s general markets operate in terms of queuing systems, customer journeys and social distancing pinch points.

“We are, however, committed to restarting the flea market as soon as possible and will continue to liaise with trader representatives about how this can be safely achieved.”

The council expects returning regular market traders to be in place from 8am though many are likely to work reduced hours for a number of weeks.

The authority will also continue to support retailers who are selling essential goods from the Market Hall.

Access in and out of the Market Hall will, however, continue to be controlled to maintain safe social distancing within the premises.

Coun Sarvent added: “As we move towards the phased re-opening of Chesterfield town centre, I would encourage residents to support our local traders on our general markets and at the Market Hall which will help us to restart our local economy.

“Shopping local is important for a number of reasons including supporting our traders from a financial point of view and reducing the number of miles we are travelling to buy our essential products such as groceries, which has a positive impact on our environment.”

The public toilets located in the Market Hall will also reopen on Monday.

Social distancing measures and extra cleaning processes will be in place so this may mean increased queues for the toilets.

Earlier this week, the council said it would reintroduce car parking charges on Monday.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Funding generated from town centre car parking charges helps the council to cover the cost of a number of essential services, including CCTV, street cleaning and public toilets provision.”

Residents are reminded to use their residents’ permit, which entitles them to park for free in most car parks before 10am and after 3pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

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