Following recent government advice, Congleton's indoor and outdoor market are preparing to reopen.

Congleton's outdoor market will reopen 2 June and the town's indoor market will reopen for essential goods only 2 June and a full indoor market reopening on 16 June.

The reopening of the markets will be in a phased approach, following discussion with key stallholders, ensuring that all sites meet current Covid-19 secure guidelines.

For indoor markets, traders selling essential goods, such as food and plants, will re-open first.

The trading of non-essential items, such as clothes, shoes and toys, will then follow later, resulting in a full market re-opening.

Traders have been asked to adhere to a new way of working due to the social distancing guidelines and additional hygiene measures that the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak presents.

Residents are advised to be aware of the new systems and restrictions in place, these are:

Indoor markets

- Reduced opening hours will be in place. Markets will open from 9.30am to 2.30pm. This will be reviewed on a regular basis;

- There will be one entrance and one exit to the market, these will be clearly marked;

- Residents are reminded to wash their hands before their journey to the market and when they return home;

- A one-way system will be in place with floor markings indicating two-metre distances;

- Only one person per family will be permitted, unless a carer is required, or a parent is with a young child;

- Only one trader will be permitted on each stall. Therefore, please be patient if that person is busy serving another customer and do not handle goods you don't wish to buy;

- Please use a debit card/contactless method of payment to pay for goods, where possible, to avoid traders handling cash; and

- Any cafés in the market will provide a take-away service only.

Outdoor markets

- Normal opening hours will be in place. Markets will open from 9am to 4. 30pm.This will be reviewed on a regular basis;

- Two-metre social distancing is to be adhered to and traders will advise customers who appear not to be following these restrictions when visiting their stall;

- Residents are reminded to wash their hands before their journey to the market and when they return home;

- Only one person per family will be permitted unless a carer is required, or a parent is with a young child;

- Only one trader will be permitted on each stall. Therefore, please be patient if that person is busy serving another customer and do not handle goods that you don't wish to buy;

- Use a debit card/contactless method of payment to pay for goods, where possible, to avoid traders handling cash; and

- Any cafés in the market will provide a take-away service only.

Car boot sales will not be permitted to re-open at this time.

Outdoor artisan markets can reopen from 1 June for the sale of any goods and indoor artisan markets from 15 June.

Please note that artisan markets fall under the remit of town or parish councils and not Cheshire East Council.

Again, measures must be taken to ensure safe social distancing for the protection of stall holders and visitors.

For full details on our markets visit Cheshire East's markets page.