By Christopher Morgan
Kirklees Council has announced that its markets will remain open, but only for essential goods
The council’s markets in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, and Cleckheaton will be open on their regular markets days to provide local people with access to essential supplies, specifically fresh food products such as fruit & veg, meat, fish, bread and dairy products.
Some markets will also have stallholders who sell pet supplies
The markets will aim to stay in line with government guidance an include social distancing tactics such as queue management.
The council has also said that all stalls will be sanitised in line with food hygiene regulations.
Kirklees Market Opening Times
Queensgate and Cleckheaton markets will be open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Saturday
Huddersfield open market will be open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Dewsbury market will be open from 9 am to 3 pm Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Cllr Rob Walker, Labour Councillor for Colne Valley, said: “We’re keeping the markets open to allow people to continue to buy essential goods from the stall they normally use.
“Our market staff will help ensure that social distancing is in place”.
Cllr Walker added that the measures will help reduce crowding pressures in supermarkets by offering an alternative place to buy essential supplies.
He added: “It is also important that we support local food businesses to survive the crisis.
“There will be no second-hand markets, or stalls selling non-essential items like clothes, so only visit if you really need fresh produce.
“If visiting the markets we need you to follow the instruction to keep 2 meters away from other people.
“We can only keep the markets open if people act in a respectful manner, so please be patient if you are asked to wait before entering, and be kind and respectful to our stallholders.”