Market - Coronavirus update

The government announced on 23 March that certain business must close, and social distancing measures must be put in place for businesses that are deemed essential.
The government website states that ‘Market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food’ have been listed as an exception and may remain open.

This information is linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premi…

following this announcement, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has worked with traders that provide essential services to ensure that the market can safely operate.

The government has stated that business that may remain open MUST adhere to these guidelines:

• Ensure a distance of two meters between customers and shop assistants; and

• Let people enter the shop only in small groups, to ensure that spaces are not

Crowded.

• Queue control is required outside of shops and other essential premises that

remain open.

To ensure that all traders at the market comply with these guidelines, all traders must put a social distancing plan in place before they trade. The social distancing plan outlines how a trader will comply with each of these points. A market officer is onsite on market days to ensure that traders are adhering to social distancing measures. Pictures below were taken from yesterday’s market (2 April), and show 2 metre marked out spaces, and signage asking customers not to group and to remain 2 metres apart – similar to the measures taken in supermarkets.

We have also altered the location of where traders are allowed to trade from. Not all of our pitches are available to hire so that social distancing measures can be maintained. Pitches will be spaced at least 6 meters away from each other to allow customers to queue. We have also assessed pitches that could cause a ‘bottleneck’, so members of
the public can pass easily.

We have put these systems in place, and are now relying on members of the public to follow them appropriately.

Advice for those that use the market remains the same as those using supermarkets:
- Please wash your hand thoroughly when you return home. Advice on how to correctly wash your hands can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
- Please do not visit family or friends whilst at the market.
- Please comply with social distancing measures while attending the market. How to properly social distance yourself from others can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-…
- The market is not a place for social gatherings. No seating or resting areas are made available by traders.

We have been following the movements of other market operators via the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA). Currently, markets nationally and locally are applying their own social distancing measures depending on the layout of their market.
- Saffron Walden – Still operating in an open area with traders selling essential products. https://www.facebook.com/SaffronWaldenTownCouncil
- St Albans – Still operating and selling a range of fruit and veg, bread, meat, cheese, fish, eggs, and other dry food goods https://www.facebook.com/stalbansmarket/
- Waltham Abbey – Still operating with social distancing measures in place https://www.facebook.com/WalthamAbbeyMarket
London Markets
- Walthamstow – Still operating with essential groceries on sale https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/content/walthamstow-market
- Camden – Still operating, groceries, hardware goods, pet foods and take away food still available https://www.camden.gov.uk/markets-in-camden
- Borough – Still operating selling groceries with additional social distancing measures in place https://www.facebook.com/BoroughMarket/

We have been continuously updating our traders with information from the government website to ensure they all have the most current information. We have advised traders with latest information for:

Advice for food retailers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-b…

Removal of waste, cleaning and hygiene: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-…

And links to business support for our traders that cannot currently trade: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-bu…

and

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-bu…

We are keeping updated with the latest government advice from the https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus and endeavour to make the market as safe as possible whilst also providing an essential food service for the town. The market is an extension of the high street, and as the government have said that members of the public can still leave their homes to buy food it is essential that this service is still available.

Finally, to help our traders that cannot currently trade at the market, we will be setting up a virtual market on our Bishop’s Stortford Market Facebook page. This will allow to traders to advertise their business, and post products directly to customers. Look out for all of your favourite traders from the Farmers and Craft market and the general market!

Markets- response to Coronavirus

Currently the Market is due to open and is scheduled to continue to operate every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (if permitted by the government to do so). The Market is operating under the new restrictions for retailers (imposed by the government on 23.03.2020) and only approved businesses will be allowed to trade. Traders are taking additional measures to protect themselves and the public they serve.

In line with government guidelines, traders (as all retailers) must adhere to the following:
• Ensure a distance of two meters between customers and shop assistants; and
• Let people enter the shop only in small groups, to ensure that spaces are not crowded.
• Queue control is required outside of shops and other essential premises that remain open.

 The Farmers and Craft Markets have been suspended until further notice. Traders that sell products which have been approved by the Government have been given the opportunity to trade at the Thursday, Friday Saturday Market.

The Town Council have the safety of the traders, its officers and the public as its primary focus. The Council will be reviewing this service as new government guidelines are released.

Office Closure, still open by phone and email

Following Government advice and in light of the development of Coronavirus (Convid-19) Bishop’s Stortford Town Council offices and the Tourist Information Centre will be closed until further notice.

We will still be continuing to provide vital services via phone, emails and our website. You can get touch with us via:
www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk
tic@bishopsstortford.org
01279 715001 (Mon – Fri 09.00-17.00. Saturday 09.00-15.00)
01279 175000 (Mon – Fri 09.00-17.00. Saturday 09.00-15.00)

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Bishop's Stortford Farmers and Crafts Market (7 March 2020)

We hope that you are looking forward to #bishopsstortford farmers and crafts market as much as we are! Saturday's market (7 March) has an excellent selection of hot food, gifts, hand made toiletries and more. Here is a sneak peak at all of the traders you will expect to see there, come and show your support!

Moggies Pickles
Heavenly Homemade
Spice Queen UK
The Making Place
Golden Soaps Ltd.
Kati Bites
Bishop's Stortford Bee Keepers
Bishop's Stortford Art Society
Buttercup Bakery
Navy Grey Candles
Paradiso Italian flavour
Skipper's Hot Pepper Sauce
Beau Petit Macaron

Visit the Farmers and Craft Market on Saturday 7 March between 09:30 and 13:30 on North Street. Don’t forget to visit the general market as well from 08:30 to 16:30 from Market Square to South Street!

 

Bishop's Stortford Farmers and Crafts Market (1 February 2020)

Tired of the January blues? Don’t worry, Bishop’s Stortford Farmers and Craft Market will be back from 1 February! All of our Farmers and Craft Market traders handmade all of their products so you will not find anything else like it on the high street. The Farmers and Craft Market only the first Saturday of the month, so don’t miss out!

Attending this months market will be
Skippers hot pepper sauce
Navey Grey Candles
Beau Petit Macaron
Golden Soaps
Bishops Stortford Beekeepers
Bishops Stortford Art Society
Buttercup Bakery
Moggies Pickles
 

Visit the Farmers and Craft Market on Saturday 1 February between 09:30 and 13:30 on North Street. Don’t forget to visit the general market as well from 08:30 to 16:30 from Market Square to South Street!

Festive Taxi Marshall Scheme Announced

Bishop's Stortford Town Council will again be funding a Taxi Marshall Scheme over the festive season.
On Fridays and Saturdays between December 6th and December 31st taxi marshals will operate at the Taxi Rank near the station to assist revellers and ensure that queues are orderly. 
The scheme will also operate on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

THE ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE AND ARMISTICE DAY

THE ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE 

Sunday 10 November 2019 at 10.50am

 War Memorial in Castle Gardens, Bishop’s Stortford.

All are invited to attend and place tributes during the service

Refreshments available after the service.

Servicemen, veterans and local organisations are invited to participate in the parade. Assemble at 10am at the Link Road car park. The parade departs at 10.40am and marches to the War Memorial arriving prior to the service.

There will be multiple road & car park closures to allow the parade to  pass, please expect delays. 

A road closure will be in effect from 10.30am – 11.30am on 10 November 2019 for the Remembrance Parade. Entry and exit from :

Charringtons,CM23 2ER,

Causeway , CM23 2EN

Link Road , CM23 2BA,

Jackson Square, CM23 3XQ

Car Parks will be impossible between 10.30am – 11.30am.

Thank you for the cooperation. 

ARMISTICE DAY

All are invited to attend at the War Memorial on 11 November at 11am for a two minute silence and placing of tributes.

 

Bishop’s Stortford Remembrance Parade and Service are organised by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council in partnership with Bishop’s Stortford Royal British Legion.                               

Contact remembrance@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk or call 01279 715000 for more information

Notice of Vacancy in the Office of Councillor

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for Bishop’s Stortford Town Council (All Saints Ward), following the death of Councillor Mike Wood.

If an election is requested in writing by ten or more local government electors for Bishop’s Stortford All Saints Ward, an election will be held to fill the vacancy.  Requests must be made to the returning officer of East Hertfordshire District Council at Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ to arrive not later than 19th November 2019.

If no request is made in accordance with the above, the vacancy will be filled by co-option by the Town Council as soon as practicable after 19th November 2019.

This notice is issued on 30th October 2019 pursuant to section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972

James Parker
Chief Executive Officer, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

The Old Monastery,
Windhill,
Bishop’s Stortford
CM23 2ND

Death of Cllr Mike Wood

It is with great regret that the the Town Council announces the death of Councillor Mike Wood, following a long illness, on Friday, 25th October.