'I'm absolutely ready to go back to work': Northampton market will be back on June 1

Northampton's market traders will be back to business next week as part of the Government's next step to end the lockdown.

Market Square has been eerily quiet since the lockdown began on March 23. For the last eight weeks, only two fruit and veg traders, two food vans and the M&G butcher van have been open to customers.

However, in a briefing on Monday (May 25), the Prime Minister announced outdoor markets will be permitted to trade again on June 1.

Crucially, it does not just extend to essential items but also to services like florists, key cutters and general goods.

The announcement - which also extended to car showrooms - is the first widespread relaxation of lockdown measures for any sort of retailer since March.

LJB Rutherfords has been cutting keys on the market for decades, but has now been off work for eight weeks.

Owner Les Brannan said: "I'm absolutely ready to go back to work. It's well past time.

"I could have run my store with social distancing all this time anyway. The supermarkets have been able to stay open and if you ask me it's a free-for-all in there.

"It won't be a massive adjustment for me. I hope it will be okay. But the market is outside and there's space. It's rural compared to a supermarket."

Earlier this month, the Chronicle & Echo spoke to the few remaining traders who stayde open during the lockdown.Speaking on May 11, Dave Dunkley, who works on the Hung Vo stall, said: "We've been here since day one with all the proper measures and social distancing in place.

"It would be nice to see the market back as one - but it's up to the powers that be."

Phil Larratt, Deputy Leader of Northampton Borough Council said: “Market traders and their customers will be responsible for ensuring they abide by the social distancing rules, but we will provide signs, barriers and floor markings for stalls as required. We’re currently finalising a checklist which will be sent to all traders.

"The Government has now made financial support available for some businesses which fell through the cracks in its initial grant payments, which includes market traders. We will be contacting them directly about this.”