THE much-loved Northwich Artisan Market returned from lockdown on Saturday at a new location.

Witton Street had been home to the monthly event before the coronavirus pandemic, but following discussions with Northwich Town Council and Barons Quay it was felt the £80 million complex would be a safer site for social distancing.

Denise Valente, director at the Market Co, which runs Northwich Artisan Market, says the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

She told the Guardian: “It was really nice to be back and that people could rest assured we had everything in place to make it as safe as possible.

“We overheard lots of people say that it was so nice to have something back that was part of their normal behaviour, and to be able to see all the traders.

“So many traders commented that they saw regular customers again for the first time in months and could exchange stories of how they had survived the lockdown period.”

Shoppers kept a safe distance from each other on the day, while plenty of hand sanitiser was made available for use and traders all wore face masks or visors to protect their customers.

Northwich Guardian:

It had been felt that Witton Street would be a difficult location for a socially-distanced artisan market, due to the layout of the street and the furniture along it, and Denise was pleased with how well the event worked out at Barons Quay.

She said: “We went from River Island and H&M down to Sticky Paws, and we were able to take advantage of the gorgeous little riverside park.

“It was wonderful to see so many people looking out for one another and keeping a safe distance.”

Denise admits that with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, she is not sure when the market could make a return to Witton Street, if at all.

She said: “It entirely depends on Covid. We cannot move back while social distancing rules are in place, that is for certain, and we have no idea how long that will be for.

“Our home is Witton Street, and our intention has always been to be there to support the independent businesses, but it is just not possible at the moment – that is just a fact.”

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The next Northwich Artisan Market is scheduled to take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 12.

If you cannot wait to get your artisan fix by then, visit themarketco.co.uk to support traders on the Artisans Online marketplace.