Leighton-Linslade vegan market saw ‘complete disregard to all social distancing’

On Sunday (September 20) in collaboration with LBMarket, Vegan Markets UK visited the high street boasting stalls of fast food, baked treats, ethical clothing and more.

However, many residents took to social media to raise their concerns about how busy the town was, at a time when the government is warning of a second wave of coronavirus.

A high street retail worker who visited the town on Sunday claimed: “For months, we have had a queue system and a limit on the number of customers allowed in at any time.

“Today [Sunday], however, myself and my colleagues saw a complete disregard to all social distancing on the pavements outside, with food stalls not even spaced out correctly like the regular charter market on a Tuesday or Saturday.

“This food market brought crowds onto the high street similar to a normal May Day Fayre including large families and friends not sticking to the ‘rule of six’ regulation.

“There were large queues, not two metres apart, built up, and there were hardly any police (one PCSO) and a couple of town council marshals were spotted, but no reminding of social distancing either.

“Another main worry was that the majority of those in the crowds were young families meeting grandparents and no-one was wearing a mask.

“The majority attending this event did not show any concern helping those who were wearing a mask and trying to walk up and down the high street not wanting to get caught in these queues.”

He added: “I am disappointed that no control was in evidence by the town council at this event.”

Lisa Drew, landlady at The Golden Bell, claimed: “I couldn’t tell you how many people there were. There was a wall of people. There were so many.

“The Street Food Heroes the week before wasn’t as busy, but I still don’t think the council should be putting on events like that.

“[This Sunday] I stood at the bottom of the high street and refused to go up there. I really think that the council have made a huge error of judgement and need to apologise.”

In last week’s LBO, mayor Cllr David Bowater had expressed his concerns over social distancing at the town’s pubs, stating: “...the people queuing were virtually touching and you could see through the windows there wasn’t a mask in sight. It was absolutely appalling and I’m not surprised we’ve had an increase in cases.”

In response, Lisa said: “It is not a requirement in England currently that masks are worn in pubs. When it is made a requirement, pubs will do so.”

She also expressed frustration, as after explaining how hard she and others had worked to reopen their pubs, she claimed that the Street Food Heroes and the vegan market stalls were “drawing huge crowds” with “no masks worn, no social distancing” and alleged: “Who is collecting customer data in the high street? No-one.”

Other comments on social media included: “So glad I am not going near the high street today” and “Just can’t understand why people are not social distancing. It’s crazy.”

A Leighton-Linslade Town Council spokesman said: “The vegan market event which took place on Sunday was organised and run in its entirety by Vegan Markets 
UK.

“As event organiser, they were responsible for managing all aspects of the day including health and safety and social distancing.

“It is disappointing to note that not all visitors to the vegan market event felt safe and therefore as part of its review of the day, the town council will be taking this point up with the event organiser.”

The LBO has approached Vegan Markets UK for a comment.