Chesterfield council chief’s praise for market traders still serving town ‘in this hour of need’

A number of traders at Chesterfield’s indoor and outdoor markets are still working during the coronavirus pandemic to provide food and other essential services for residents.

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Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are working very hard to ensure that market traders and retailers in the town centre receive the support they need to trade safely.

“For over 800 years the market has been part of the fabric of the town and it is heartening that in this hour of need, traders are still there offering food and other permitted goods to local residents.”

Council staff are ensuring that only one member of the public enters the Market Hall at any one time in order to maintain social distancing.

Traders on the open market who are continuing to trade are not being charged rent for their stalls and anyone who is not trading but plans to resume will not be charged back-rent when they stand next time.

Rent for the Market Hall traders has been deferred and they will not be charged interest on this.

A council spokesperson added: “Once restrictions on trading have been lifted, we will be working with traders to reignite our shop local campaign and to promote the town centre and its fantastic retail offer.

“Our ambitious multi-million pound ‘Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield’ project will also continue to improve and support our town centre offer.”

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