CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the return of Frome’s Saturday market after it was temporarily suspended by Mendip District Council.
The market returned to Boyle Cross and Market Yard at the weekend after it was temporarily closed by the district council in mid-January, whilst council staff were redeployed to support the vaccination programme.
A petition against the closure, which raised concern about the impact of the closure on traders that may struggle to survive, was supported by over 1,400 people.
Market trader Daniel Price from Somerset Deli, who helped lead the campaign said, “It’s been three weeks of standing out on the empty market site collecting signatures and informing disappointed customers of the campaign, emailing Mendip District councillors, talking to the radio and press outlets and constant social media debate. We got there eventually!
“This shows what people power, cooperation, and persistence can achieve. The markets should never have shut in the first place.”
“Now we can pick up where we left off and direct our energy in the right direction. Namely, re-building our businesses and the reputation of the market.”
The news has also been welcomed by Frome Town Council, who had “unsuccessfully” attempted to negotiate with the district council for them to temporarily take on the running of the market.
Leader of Frome Town Council, cllr Anne Hills said, “This is fantastic to hear this morning (February 8th), and I want to thank all those who got behind the campaign to get this important market back up and running.
“This is great news for the whole town – not only for the traders who have had their livelihoods impacted but for those who want a safe, outside shopping experience.
“My thanks go out to Mendip District Council who we have worked with extensively to get this reinstated, and to all staff at Mendip District Council who are working tirelessly with the vaccination programme.
“Additionally, I want to thank Frome Chamber of Commerce for their support during the campaign. The market will be open for business on Saturday 13th February for essential shopping, and please do wear a mask and socially distance when you shop.”
Frome’s mayor, cllr Anita Collier, was amongst the visitors to the market when it returned at the weekend. “So thrilled to see the Saturday market back up and running,” said cllr Collier. “People bustling about on this chilly morning, happy to be out shopping in the fresh air. Well done to everyone involved in getting this market trading again, and bravo to all the traders. Frome working at its best!”
The reopening of Frome’s Saturday Market, was not the only change made by the district council – the opening hours of Frome’s Wednesday market, which were temporarily reduced to 9am-12pm from mid-January, was reinstated back to its original opening time of 9am-2pm.
Currently, stalls at both markets will only sell essential provisions such as food, cleaning products and pet supplies, and there will be measures in place to help traders and visitors to the market observe Covid-19 guidance.
“There are strict social distancing measures in place,” explained market trader Katy Harris from Katy’s Kitchen. “All stalls have reviewed their risk assessments accordingly and have sanitizer and cleaning products in use and available to customers.”
Announcing the changes to market opening times and the return of Saturday markets, Mendip District Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for neighbourhood services, cllr Josh Burr said, “We’ve been talking to traders and residents throughout the pandemic, and sought guidance from the National Federation of Market Traders (NFMT). We thank everyone for their insights, understanding and encouragement.
“Despite Covid and calls on the council for support with testing and vaccination programmes, we managed to keep the markets open Monday to Friday, in recent weeks, and offered free rents and free parking as incentives to support what we know to be a very valuable community resource.
“The reduction of Saturday slots in Wells and Frome was a temporary move, and we are delighted to see them quickly return once more.
“The continued success of the Covid vaccine roll-out has brought new confidence to our communities. People are clearly keen to get outdoors and support our much-loved markets across the district. We recognise that, and also the need to help our businesses and the local economy.
“Our experienced markets officers will be on hand to ensure these events are legally compliant and safe, and to offer any reassurance that’s required.
“We wanted to bring the Saturday market back as quickly as possible. The offering may be lighter to allow traders to source stock, however we know they are chomping-at-the-bit to set up stall, and that our residents will return to them again, with great enthusiasm.”
Frome’s Wednesday and Saturday markets are open 9am to 2pm.
