Traders will be eagerly awaiting customers as the Congleton Market returns today (Tuesday).

The market will be operating under the reduced hours of 9.30am to 2.30pm.

This comes after the coronavirus lockdown has been eased to allow 'non-essential retailers' to reopen.

Nub News reported on Friday that Cheshire East Council confirmed the indoor and outdoor markets in Congleton, Crewe and Macclesfield will start to reopen from today (Tuesday) with stalls selling essential goods, such as food and plants, being able to welcome customers first.

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.