After work to ensure that it’s COVID-secure, the Finzels Reach Market will reopen for the first time since lockdown on Friday, June 5th.
Understandably, there will be a few changes to the popular global street food market: expect a scaled-down version with fewer stalls, a queuing system similar to those found at supermarkets, and a one-way system in and out of the market. The organisers, though, promise that there will still be a great selection of global street food on offer.
Since lockdown began, many small food and drink businesses – both in Bristol and further afield – have been struggling to stay afloat. While some have been able to adapt with home deliveries, others are barely surviving, being ineligible for the government’s small business grants and other support.
Market director Sophie Bowden says, “As soon as lockdown happened, our business and our traders’ businesses came to a complete halt so we’re over the moon that we’re able to adapt the market in order to safely reopen. We’ve followed government guidance and we’ll have all the necessary control measures in place, but we’re just so elated to have some good news finally. Although a lot of additional expenditure and work is required to make our market COVID-secure, we can’t wait to get back to it and start trading again.
“Although we want to reopen the market, we want to do so safely and without encouraging crowds so we’ll be reducing the number of stalls, extending opening hours and asking customers to pre-order to limit face-to-face time in the market.”
Finzels Reach Market will reopen on Friday, June 5th, with opening hours of 11am to 3pm. You’ll find further details – including a market user guide and information about traders – posted on the market’s social media accounts, links to which you’ll find on the website.