More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A raft of safety measures still need to be agreed before the Saturday market at Deal can reopen.
The update comes as readers told us of their disappointment and called for it to be reopened this weekend "...no excuses!"
Market organisers Deal Town Council revealed stall numbers will be reduced when it does reopen to allow for distancing plus barriers and signs will guide people through designated entrances and exit points.
A safety plan, which will have to be agreed by site owners Dover District Council, will include provision of extra staff to manage the flow of customers through the area at Union Road car park.
Toilet and handwashing facilities will be needed to stem any spread of Covid 19.
Deal Town Council's communications officer Joanne Harper said: "The council is keen to re-open the Saturday Market as soon as possible.
"Our Officers are currently working with the town councillors and Dover District Council to agree on a Covid-19 safety plan for council staff, traders and customers and the cost of the extra provisions is being estimated."
The new approach will include stations with antibacterial gel and the council may insist on cash free payments only.
Ms Harper added: "Officers will consult with the market traders shortly so that their views and ideas can be taken into account.
"A full report with all of this information will be considered by the council at their next scheduled meeting."
The officer was not able to give a rough date for reopening and was not able to identify which traders will lose their pitches to allow for the new layout of stalls.
One customer Della Greenaway blasted the authority for a lack of organisation and said: "Many other markets were up and running after the government gave the go ahead last week, but Deal Council was obviously not so organised and doesn't seem so worried about the stall holder's livelihood and the market's loyal customers who desperately want the market back.
"After three months of 'training' we've acquired the ability to self distance"...
"We have all after three months of 'training' acquired the ability to self distance and if people want hand sanitisers they more than likely carry one with them, as well as gloves and a mask if they feel more comfortable with them.
"I'm sure if you ask the people of Deal through your newspaper if they want to reverse Deal Council's decision, there would be an overwhelming response "GET OUR SATURDAY MARKET BACK ON THE 13th June" and no excuses!"
Another reader Helga Wood said reinstating the market would help keep the award winning High Street exceptional.
She said: "While Sandwich market has been going strong during the last few weeks of lockdown, and Faversham market was doing well, with social distancing , on Saturday, Deal market stays resolutely closed.
"It seems such a pity for local producers not to be able to safely sell their produce to us residents on a Saturday morning - it seems a good way for the town to be able to support local businesses, plant growers, cake makers, vegetable growers, cheese makers and many more in a comparatively safe outdoor environment.
"Many other High Street shops who have been valiantly adopting novel ways of keeping their businesses afloat during lockdown also depend on extra shoppers who come to the town centre on a Saturday, and will try out some of our other wonderful independent shops while they are in that part of the town.
"It’s going to be an uphill struggle to keep our exceptional High Street alive and profitable as we come out of lockdown, and I would like to see the town council doing their bit to help by reinstating the Saturday market."
A handful of traders at Dover's Bluebirds Market has remained trading throughout lockdown and there is no date yet for other stallholders to return.
