Truro Farmers’ Market reopens this weekend in a very different way

Shoppers will return to Truro’s heart for the first time in 11 weeks when the farmers’ market returns this Saturday.

The ghostly Lemon Quay will come to life again as the popular market comes out of the temporary hibernation caused by the coronavirus crisis with 24 traders selling everything from chocolate to gin on the quay from 8.30am to 3.30pm on June 6.

However, organisers promised a number of changes to ensure government guidelines are followed and shoppers and traders are kept safe.

Market chairman Graham Bradshaw, of Cornish Seasalt, said: “Rather than our usual layout, we will be in a square, with an entrance and one-way system.

“There will be arrows and sticky tape marking the way and there will also be extra marshalls guiding people.”

He said that popular food stalls, such as the fish counter where people will have to wait for fish to be filleted and de-scaled, will have a separate area to avoid lengthy queues building up.

Card payments rather than cash will be encouraged and traders will wear gloves.

“A big part of what makes up a market is stallholders’ banter, so we will use them to get the social distancing message across to customers,” added Graham.

The market, which will take up a bigger area of the quay than usual, will see an eclectic range of stalls selling goods including strawberries, new potatoes, game, duck, chocolate, gin, honey and crafts.

Graham told Cornwall Live: “While some of our stallholders have been able to deliver during the lockdown, others haven’t been able to trade at all due to the nature of their business, so being able to open to the public again will be a godsend.”

He admitted the market traders had no idea how busy they will be as most other shops in the city aren’t due to reopen until June 15 or after.

“We hope that by opening on Saturday we will also be able to help the few other shops that are open in Truro for essential purchases.”