Traders at Harborough’s iconic indoor market thank local people for backing them amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Traders in Market Harborough’s iconic indoor market are saluting local people for backing them amid the Covid-19 crisis.

People are getting behind the district council’s high-profile campaign to shop local in a bid to give the struggling local economy a lifesaving kickstart.

Kris Moore, who owns John Ross Butchers in the indoor market’s Food Hall, told the Harborough Mail: “We are picking up new shoppers every week and we are seeing a real movement towards supporting local independent businesses.”

He said it had been a bizarre time after the coronavirus lockdown was imposed in late March.

“Those first few weeks at the height of the pandemic were surreal.

“We were seeing panic buying,” said Kris.

“Customers stocking up because they couldn’t get an on-line delivery slot - and so many customers who couldn’t face the risk or long queues at the supermarket.”

But he said the popular butcher’s has gone from strength to strength, attracting new shoppers all the time.

“As time has gone on, we are still consistently 30 per cent up on previous years and we are doing really well.

“So we’d like to say a huge thank you to the public generally and our loyal customers across Harborough particularly,” said Kris.

Many dynamic traders have drastically powered up the online arm of their businesses to stay off the Covid-19 rocks.

And they include Simon Agius, owner of Soel Beads.

“Like many traders I was obviously worried when the lockdown started.

“But luckily I had already built my website,” said Simon.

“So in addition to that I created an online Facebook group as a way of showcasing my new and existing products.

“That simple action alone was enough to keep trading successfully throughout the lockdown.”

The thriving entrepreneur hailed the town’s historic market dating back to the Middle Ages as a “great place” to work and prosper.

“Harborough Market is still very much a great place to trade.

“I have been totally overwhelmed by the incredible support shown by my Harborough customers.

“I think visitors feel safe at the market - and are consequently relaxed while being able to shop,” insisted Simon.

“I am confident that with the introduction of face coverings, customers who have been apprehensive will feel confident to now come out and pay a visit.

“There are so many fantastic businesses in here from cheese to fish, and sweets, to haberdashery, antiques, menswear, and framing, that all we need is for shoppers to get behind us in order to thrive once more.”

He spoke out as the 800-year-old market has now opened its massive front doors on Northampton Road.

“With the mandatory wearing of facemasks, this gives us the leeway to end the one way system in the general hall only.

“As a consequence we can open the Northampton Road doors,” said a market spokesman.

“The one way system still applies in the food hall, due to the small aisles and busy queues for all the food stalls, so shoppers entering from the general hall must enter the one way system by the right hand door adjacent to the haberdashery stall.”

Amy Kingston, owner of HarboroMarket Fruit and Veg, said she has also explored fascinating new routes in an attempt to keep her head above water over the last few weeks.

“We were very conscious that a lot of our regulars were shielding and unable to shop with us, especially from the surrounding villages.

“So we started doing home deliveries every Tuesday and Friday,” said Amy.

“The service supplemented our income.

“But more than that this was an absolutely vital lifeline for our loyal shoppers who were isolated by the restrictions.”

Harborough Market staff closed the door on its General Hall when the lockdown began on Monday March 23 for three tough months.

“Harborough District Council was determined to keep the Food Hall open to supply essential food and cleaning products to the local community, and on 24th March 2020 opened with social distancing measures in place, restricted admittance, a one-way system and relocated traders,” said the spokesman.

“As that first month of lockdown segued into month two and then month three, the measures that felt strange at first - floor markings, queues, and one-way systems - soon became integral to shopping.

“The stringent measures at Harborough Market received overwhelming support from the public, many of which complimented the staff on how safe they felt inside the Food Hall.”

“Totally great, quality food.

“I don’t usually have time to visit the market when working, but I shall be changing my shopping habits when this is all over, market all the way,” said one shopper on social media.

“Thank you, Harborough Market.

“I breezed past the long queue for the supermarkets & straight to the amazing butchers, deli, cleaning products and fresh veg.

“All done & back home in 30 mins,” said another fan.

Susan Mason, owner of Rural Trading, is hoping for the best after seeing trade swing from one extreme to the other in the last few crazy months.

“In the two weeks prior to lockdown the increase in sales of our own brand toilet rolls, BoxRoll, was unprecedented due to panic buying.

“We struggled to get our stock from the car park to our stall as customers were following us and trying to take them off the trolleys before we even got inside the market,” said Susan.

“But as supply dried up completely our footfall reduced to virtually zero and we stopped trading for a while.

“With the re-opening of the General Hall, it is good to be back.

“And although footfall is down, we are optimistic that it will return as customer confidence grows and measures relax further.”

Bob Johnson, who owns The Little Bag Shop, said: “It was really difficult when we first re-opened.

“We didn’t cover our rent for a while.

“But with each passing week things are improving and I’m seeing new customers coming in.

“That’s largely as I have just set up a Facebook page and website to enable shoppers to browse online and click and collect.”

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough council, said: “Harborough District Council was determined to support Harborough Market traders as much as we could through these unprecedented times.

“We waived rents for those not trading and deferred them for those that continued to stay open.

“We were extremely grateful that the Chancellor of the Exchequer offered up schemes that many were able to take advantage of, namely the furlough scheme, the business rates grant, or the 80 per cent self-employed income scheme.”

The Conservative council chief is calling on shoppers across South Leicestershire to continue to support grateful market traders to the hilt.

“Harborough Market is much more than just a Food Hall.

“While we are incredibly grateful for the incredible support shown to our food traders, now is the time for customers to get behind the General Hall traders,” added Cllr King.

“With the introduction of mandatory face masks coupled with the existing measures the clear message is that the market is a safe place to shop and a perfect place to shop local.”