Supporting social distancing at Broadway Market this weekend
Additional police, licensing and enforcement officers will be deployed to Broadway Market this Saturday and Sunday, following busy scenes across London last weekend.
Licensing officers will ensure shops on the street are trading in line with Government coronavirus guidance, which does not permit the purchase of takeaway alcohol, unless pre-ordered.
The street market at Broadway Market was closed early last weekend after large numbers of people purchasing food and alcohol at shops along the street led to overcrowding. No market stalls are licensed to sell alcohol.
The Council has also written to all businesses this week to remind them of the Government’s coronavirus guidance, including on the sale of alcohol.
While, in line with the Council’s Covid secure markets plan, only 29 out of 150 Broadway Market stalls were operating last weekend, an alternative layout will be trialled this weekend to further help maintain social distancing.
In line with our Covid secure markets plan, only a small number of market stalls were actually operating last weekend, however we were forced to take the decision to close early because of large numbers of people congregating around shops selling takeaway alcohol.
We have written to businesses this week to urge them to follow government coronavirus guidance, but we will be forced to take action if they do not comply.
I’d like to thank and commend the behaviour of market traders at Broadway Market, who have been trading successfully in line with our Covid secure plan since August.
We are committed to ensuring the market can continue to trade during lockdown in line with Government guidance, and are working closely with traders on a new layout for the market this weekend.
A new one month national lockdown started last week, and lasts until at least 2 December.
The Council is reminding people to follow the Government guidance to help limit the spread of coronavirus:
- Stay at home except for specific essential purposes like shopping for basic necessities.
- Do not gather with those you do not live with, and make sure you minimise time spent your home.
- When you are around other people, such as when shopping or at work, ensure that you are two metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble.
While Council officers cannot enforce social distancing guidance, enforcement and licensing officers will be on hand at the weekend to help support businesses to operate safely.
Police officers will also patrol throughout the weekend to ensure shoppers maintain social distancing.