New measures introduced by Allerdale council to prevent overcrowding at Keswick’s Thursday and Saturday markets have been broadly welcomed by traders – but locals still want to stay away during the busy times.
The authority announced yesterday that it was reducing the number of stalls on market days and increasing the number of marshals to make sure people were adhering to the one-way system introduced to help maintain social distancing.
It was in response to an online petition launched by Isobel Hamer. The petition asked for the market to be closed or moved after fears that shoppers were not adhering to the Government guidelines and not staying more than one to two metres apart.
A second petition was created to support Keswick market in its present location.
Paul Sutcliffe. who runs the Sparklebright stall, said: “The measures seem to be working and if that is what it takes to keep the market then we must comply. The problem is with the reduced numbers of stalls we can’t get on every week.”
Stephen Keogh, of Kirkby Stephen business Country Flavour, is a regular at the market.
He said: “We are happy to do anything we can to keep people safe.
“We are outside, which is generally a safer environment, and the new signage for the one-way system seems to be working, particularly with the extra marshals in place.”
One of the marshals introduced to ensure people comply with a one-way system on Market Square is Mark Humphreys from AJ Security.
He said: “There have been no problems. People are happy to comply with the one-way system. The difficulty comes in when they enter the area through one of the many alleyways and don’t realise it is one way.”
Large signs have been placed at the top of each side of the square, marking the one-way system, and there are many hand sanitising units around the stalls.
But Richard Todhunter, who lives in nearby flats in Derwent Close, admits he avoids the whole area on Saturday.
“I like having the market on my doorstep, but I go in early before it gets busy.
“The problem with the one-way system is if you want to just pop into one shop you may have to walk the length of Market Square, to get onto the right side of the system.”
