BRIGHOUSE market will re-open on Wednesday for the first time since the Coronavirus Lockdown.

Loosening restrictions on lockdown from tomorrow will mean outdoor markets and car showrooms will once again be able to trade.

Shipley Market re-opens tomorrow, and Calderdale’s markets will also re-open this week.

Outdoor markets and indoor market halls in Calderdale will be largely reopened in phases over the next fortnight, beginning with outdoor ones from Monday.

Calderdale Council says its full re-opening of its markets – they have been open for essential food sales through the coronavirus pandemic with social distancing measures in place – will be undertaken safely and in phases.

Otley Market to re-open

As per national advice, cafés and beauty salons in the markets will not reopen at present, and due to the narrow width of some aisles in the market halls, it will not be safe to reopen every stall at the moment as it is not possible to comply with the national COVID-19 secure guidelines.

The council runs two indoor market halls, Halifax Borough Market and Todmorden Market Hall, and regular outdoor markets in Brighouse, Elland, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden.

The council says that from today the outdoor markets will reopen in the following days -Brighouse (Wednesday and Saturday), Elland (Friday), Hebden Bridge (Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), Sowerby Bridge (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) and Todmorden (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).

Then from the week commencing Monday, June 15, the outdoor markets will fill in the extra pre-lockdown days, meaning they will be open as follows – Brighouse (Wednesday and Saturday), Elland (Friday), Hebden Bridge (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday), Sowerby Bridge (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and Todmorden (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

That week will also see Halifax Borough Market and Todmorden Market Hall open for the sale of non-essential as well as essential items.

People visiting markets must stay two metres away from others at all times, and follow the social distancing and safety measures that will be in place, such as floor markings and notices.

Car boot sales and second hand markets will remain closed until further notice – the council will consult with those traders as it progresses the reopening.

The council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, Councillor Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said the council welcome re-opening the markets more fully but safety was still paramount.

“We know how important it is to reopen our high streets and rebuild our economy, but our main concern is to ensure a safe future for everyone.

“We have been working closely with our market traders to make sure stall holders, staff and customers stay protected, and market stalls will only open when it is safe to do so.

“Our reopening decisions have been made very carefully, and only where we are confident that measures are in place to manage the risk of COVID-19,” she said.