WHITCHURCH will be a market town once more next month as the Friday Market prepares to reopen.

From Friday, June 5, a number of essential food stalls will return to the Civic Centre for the weekly market, opening from 8am until 12noon in the rear car park.

Regular traders who will be back on Friday, June 5 include Tony's Fresh Fish, Watson's locally produced cheese and butter, David Welch's fresh eggs and poultry and Chris's fresh fruit and vegetables.

The market will operate outdoors only from the rear car park and the town council's Facilities Team will be on hand to manage any queues.

Visitors are asked to form the queue along the pavement in St Mary's Street and full two-metre social distancing measures will be in operation. Customers are encouraged to pay by card and will be allowed into the market at one time to avoid over-crowding and maintain the social distancing.

Personal protective equipment will be worn by all market traders and town council staff and hand sanitiser and hand-washing facilities will be also be available onsite to traders.

Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Bev Duffy said she was pleased to see the market reopen.

She said: "I am pleased that the town council is able to once again provide this facility for Whitchurch residents which will hopefully help our regular traders to reinvigorate their businesses, as well as providing that friendly local market touch.

"Staff have been putting measures in place to ensure everyone's safety at the market and the town council is following government guidelines closely on social distancing and COVID-19 hygiene.

"We will provide further updates about when additional stalls are able to return, as and when restrictions allow.

"Thank you for your patience and support."