By Traders make changes as market gears up for lockdown
Grimsby’s Top Town Market is open for extra trading today (Wednesday) before the non-essential stalls close to comply with the month-long lockdown.
Traders selling essential produce, including vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, will still be able to trade as normal on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30am to 2pm.
With many offering additional delivery and ‘drive-by’ pick-up services, they are confident they can keep the market busy until it’s back in full business in the run-up to Christmas.
For Jo Bampton and Sarah Kershaw this is the first lockdown for them both as joint owners of The Veg Stall.
“We are definitely staying open. Our customers like the fact they can get their fresh produce here in paper bags, not plastic bags,” said Jo and Sarah, who are asking people to contact them via their Facebook page, ‘The veg stall-bishells’ if they want to arrange collection.
Fred’s Fisheries is also pledging to serve its customers during lockdown, with stocks expected to be supplied as normal. Kim Parkinson works for owners Adam and his dad Dave Gladding and said: “There is no doubt that we will be staying open. People love our fish, with haddock always a best seller, people in Grimsby love their haddock.”
Scott Currie at the nearby The Meat Master, part of the David Jenkins business, was busy on his stall in the run-up to lockdown and is gearing up to offer customers a delivery service, with those interested asked to phone him on 07585 951889 or go onto his Facebook page – The Meat Master.
“Local businesses like ours and others on the market provide quality produce, and that is what our customers want and rely on us for,” said Scott.
Boxed deliveries are also being offered by the family fruit and veg business, Hutson Bros. Rose Hutson manages the regular Top Town unit and again asked people to contact her though their Facebook page – Hutson Bros.
Carl’s Meats offered a pick-up service from the back of the market for its customers through the last lockdown and is planning the same again as he trades throughout.
The nearby stall of Birketts Butchers is staying open, as is Turners Brothers – the latter is offering a delivery and order and collect service of all its fruit and veg. Customers can order again via their Facebook page or phone 07712 322637.
Meanwhile some of the non-essential stall holders are finding inventive ways of keeping their customers happy. Diane Nixon-Betts runs The Black Cat Book Shop and wants to ensure books are delivered if people want them.
“I am not allowed to open, but I can deliver locally or post books to people safely and that’s what I want to do, they can just call me on 07854 055217,” said Diane.
For more information, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/markets
