This is when some outdoor market stalls and shops will re-open in Chesterfield

In Monday’s press briefing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said some businesses will be able to re-open after 10 weeks of lockdown – providing they can show staff and customers will be kept safe.

From June 1, outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to re-open, and shops selling items such as clothing, hardware/homeware as well as betting shops will be permitted to open their doors to the public once again on June 15.

Speaking following the Prime Minister’s statement, councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Our priority is to ensure that Chesterfield town centre is as safe as possible for everyone. Whilst we are still awaiting further government guidance about the relaxation of lockdown measures, the council is committed to supporting local retailers and market traders to return to the high street.”

“We have conducted a specific review looking at how the council can help our town centre retailers and traders to start to return by introducing positive measures such as signage

A spokesman for Chesterfield Borough Council said ensuring its locations and workplaces are as safe as possible for communities and staff was their ‘priority’.

The spokesman said people visiting the town centre will start to see a number of physical changes in advance of more market stalls opening, potentially from Monday, June 1 and more shops from Monday, June 15.

They said signage will be visible around the town centre to advise shoppers where to queue outside individual shops, and ‘where restrictions may be enforced, as they are currently at the Market Hall, regarding limiting the number of people who can enter premises at the same time’.

“There will also be signs in other areas such as our car parks and green spaces reminding people to follow social distancing guidelines keeping two metres apart from anyone outside of their household, and not to congregate in groups.

“Barriers will be available for shops to use to make it clear where people should queue and wait to enter shops and this process will be supported by a number of council appointed ambassadors who will be deployed around the town centre to assist shoppers and maintain safe social distancing.

“The council has been working with a number of town centre retailers to establish what assistance they might need in controlling queuing outside their stores, particularly in terms of barriers, signage and floor markings; the intention being to create safe queuing zones and pedestrian flows in these areas,” added the spokesman.

The public toilets located in the Market Hall will re-open from Monday, June 1, with social distancing measures and extra cleaning processes in place which may mean increased queues for the toilets.

The council said it is in the process of reviewing our normal Market Hall opening hours and operation pending further clarity from the Government on which additional retailers may be allowed to recommence trading from Monday, June 1.

The spokesman said: “It is envisaged that access in and out of the Market Hall will continue to be controlled to maintain safe social distancing within the premises.

“We are also actively reviewing the outdoor market operation, in line with both Government and industry guidance. As with the Market Hall, a phased return of traders is likely and changes to the physical layout will need to be made to again maintain safe social distancing.

“The council is currently working with trader representatives of the Markets Consultative Committee to agree how to enable the outdoor market to return from Monday, June 1.

“More details will be released later this week.”

The council will be lowering the car parking barriers and re-introducing car parking charges from Monday, June 1 and says it is ‘encouraging its shopworkers and residents to cycle or walk into the town centre, wherever possible’.

Residents are reminded to use their Resident’s Permit, which entitles them to park for free in most car parks before 10am and after 3pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and click here for more information.

Parking permits including pre-paid scratch cards are also available and residents are asked to ensure they properly display their permit when parking their car.

The council said funding that is generated from town centre car parking charges helps the council to cover the cost of several essential services, including CCTV, street cleaning and public toilets provision.

What can reopen from June 1?

- Outdoor markets

- Car showrooms

What can re-open from June 15?

- Food retailers

- Chemists

- Hardware/homeware stores

- Fashion shops

- Charity shops

- Betting shops and arcades

- Tailors, dress fitters and fashion designers

- Car dealerships

- Auction houses

- Antique stores

- Retail art galleries

- Photography studios

- Gift shops and retail spaces in theatres, museums, libraries, heritage sites and tourism sites

- Mobile phone stores

- Indoor and outdoor markets

- Craft fairs

- Similar types of retail

What will remain closed?

A Government spokesperson said: “Hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons, and the hospitality sector remain closed because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher where long periods of person to person contact is required.”