City of Wolverhampton Council’s Bilston, Wednesfield and City Centre markets will re-open this weekend – but under strict guidelines.
On Saturday, May 9, the council will introduce its phased approach for getting the markets back up and running using social distancing measures to ensure the safety of staff, traders and public.
This will include, a separate entrance/exit, a guided one-way system, a managed maximum capacity at any given time and extra security.
In the first phase residents will be able to purchase meat, poultry, fish, cheese, cooked meats, frozen foods, bakery products, fruit and vegetables, household goods (electrical, DIY, hardware and cleaning products), pet supplies and confectionery.
The second phase will see traders of takeaway food, mobile phone, vapes, and key cutting/shoe repair return with the third stage seeing the markets open fully. This will be subject to the level of compliance and feedback.
Under the Government guidance it is recommended to shop where possible on your own or for others who are self-isolating.
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment said: “We will have a phased and managed approach to get markets back up and running.
“We understand there will be concerns from residents but we are putting measures in place to ensure the safety of the public, staff and traders.
“Traders have been informed of the phased approach and we are working with them to ensure they also have the correct measures in place to operate safely.
Bilston indoor and outdoor market opening times are Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (8.30am - 4pm). Wolverhampton City Centre Market opening times are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (7.30am to 4pm). Wednesfield opening times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (8am – 3.30pm).
Residents are urged to continue to stay at home and should only leave the house:
These measures should be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for people or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.
All social events, including weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies, have been stopped. Funerals continue - but should only be attended by immediate family members.
When out in public, people must stay two metres – or six feet – away from other people at all times, unless they are from the same household.
To enable shoppers to keep their distance, retailers which have been permitted to remain open have been encouraged to place limits on how many people can be in-store at any one time and to ask customers to stand two metres apart when in-store and whilst queuing. In addition, customers are encouraged to pay using contactless to reduce the amount of cash being handled by staff.
The council has produced a poster for shops and businesses to print off and display, advising staff and customers of social distancing measures in operation on the premises. It is available at https://bit.ly/2wThGrB.
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/stay-safe-be-kind.
