Food-only market to return to Leighton Buzzard this Saturday - but on car park site

Instead the stalls will be operating from the Hockliffe Street (Library) car park from 8am to 12noon on a temporary basis.

The reopening is a result of talks between Leighton-Linsalde Town Council, who run the market, and Central Beds Council. This Saturday, six regular food traders will be set up in the car park, with other traders planning to attend in the future for the regular trading days of Saturday and Tuesday.

A town council spokesman said: "The food-only market will be monitored in readiness for relocating back into the High Street when the right conditions are in place to ensure its safe delivery. Until further Government announcements, the market will continue as a food-only market.

"Opening the market is a mark of support from both councils and ensures the market continues to have a presence in the town.

"Safe distancing rules remain a priority. Social distancing will be enforced in line with the current government guidelines. All traders were asked to submit their plans on how they propose to manage their stalls. There has been a lot of planning to achieve this result to ensure the utmost safety for the public, our traders, and staff."

The council says customers are encouraged to walk to the market if they can. Due to the presence of the market, a large section of the area will be cordoned off limiting available parking spaces with permit holders being given priority, as necessary.

The remaining car parking spaces will be open and chargeable; pay and display. Central Bedfordshire Council recommend people use the payment app for paying the fee to limit the need to touch the machines.

The spokesman added: "If you intend to visit the food market, please ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly before leaving home and as soon as you return home. We also ask you to respect social distancing once you arrive at the market. If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home - this is critical to staying safe and saving lives."

The town council - which has said the situation with the market is one of the most complex challenges it has faced in years - initially closed all stalls after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the pandemic lockdown on March 23.

But days later the council said food sellers would be permitted to trade on Saturday, March 28, with social distancing measures in place. It stated that it was “responding to the demands of our community for food”, adding the decision was in line with Government guidance which says food markets can continue.

However, following a public backlash to the opening, the council announced on March 30 there had been a rethink and it was “not in the public interest” to continue to allow the market to operate on a food stall-only basis.

Councillors themselves have previously been divided on the issue. CBC and town councillor Victoria Harvey said the March 28 food market had worked well and was safer than visiting a local supermarket. However fellow CBC/town councillor Amanda Dodwell said she had been against the March 28 market, describing it as “unnecessary risk” and that the public should be discouraged from visiting the town centre.

Last month, LB First, the independent traders' group, put forward proposals about reopening the market to Leighton-Linslade Town Council and Central Beds Council as it says the market's survival is crucial to a thriving town centre.

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