Northampton's traders say they have 'no idea' where marketplace fits into Government's lockdown plans

Northampton's market square fell eerily quiet on the day of the lockdown.

For the past seven weeks, only two traders and two food vans have stayed open, with yellow two-metre space guidelines spray-painted onto the pavement for customers to use. The tables on all the other stalls were put into storage indefinitely.

This week, the Government announced its phased plan to come out of the lockdown. It stated that "outdoor public spaces" could reopen as of May 13 as 'step one' plan - while reopening "some of the remaining premises that have required to close" as part of 'step three' in July.

This has raised questions of where outdoor market places like Northampton's fall in the Government's plans - and what it means for traders who make living on the town's square.

One market trader, Eamon Fitzpatrick, and his fruit and veg team were back to business yesterday (May 12) for the first time in seven weeks.

Eamon said: "We've been planning to come back today for a week or so. We sort of anticipated what the PM said but I still think he's wrong. It's far from over and it's far too soon to come out of lockdown.

"I think the markets are a safer place to be than a supermarket because there's more space. I found it frightening when I was in a supermarket - it was like the valley of death.

"If there was a second wave or coronavirus I would have no hesitation in shutting down again. Health over wealth.

"It's eerie how quiet the town centre is but some customers have said how nice it is to see us. 'Nice to see you' - I've been waiting seven weeks to say that again. It's music to my ears."

Two other traders in the square - Hung Vo Fruit & Veg and M&G Butchers - have continued business throughout the lockdown by qualifying as an essential service. Both stalls told the Chronicle & Echo they didn't know where the marketplace fit into the Government's plans.

Butcher Nick Letts said: "We have no idea. But I still think it's too far too soon to lift the lockdown. We'll be back in full-blown lockdown in three weeks.

"A lot of the traders here simply can't work from home. It will be up to the borough council and the market manager to decide when they can come back."

Meanwhile, Dave Dunkley, who works on the Hung Vo stall, said: "I don't know when it's coming back.

"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."

Northampton Borough Council and the market manager have been contacted for a comment.