The first two Kent markets reopened today at Sheerness and Faversham – and respecting the 2-metre rule while shopping was the key message.

Ros Prince who manages the Sheerness market, as well as another in Sittingbourne which is due to restart on Friday, said: "Custom has been good.

"There has been a lot of positive feedback from the locals, especially those coming through taking the kids to school.

"Everyone seems happy to have somewhere else to have a little wander in the fresh air and to do some shopping and get some bits at good prices.

"The traders seem really happy as they can now start getting back to work.

"We all finished in the winter season so everyone has had their vans out getting ready for the rest of the summer."

She added: "Before we opened we reached out to all the traders and went by the government guidelines, of which there are quite a few.

"We opened the stalls up so there is more room inside and spread the traders out who aren't shielded and can come back.

"We have hand sanitisers on stalls and the public toilets in Rose Street have hand-washing facilities.

"We have put signs up and handed them round to traders to remind the public about the 2-metre rule in case they forget. But it all seems to have paid off and people are happy."

A spokesman for Swale council which oversees the markets said: "Following government guidelines, not all traders will be returning straight away because of health issues or shielding for family members. But there will still be ample goods on offer.

"All traders will be following the government guidelines for their safety and the public's and ask all customers to remember and respect the 2-metre rule allowing space between shoppers while browsing or queuing."

Faversham managed four stalls including a plant stall, veg stall and household stall.

Resident Andy Capon said: "There was red tape on the ground near the stalls, presumably for the two-metre thing. But it didn't appear to work.

"It was quite busy but not anything like pre-Covid-19. They packed up the usual time, at around 3.30pm.

"There was a nice atmosphere and it was just nice to see life on the square returning to normal, whatever that may be.

"The NatWest queue was, as ever, a source of amusement and rendered pointless by the people gathering around for the market."

Leysdown boot fair says it will open this Sunday and is introducing one-way aisles.

Sheerness market returns

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