Greenwich Market reopens today, Thursday 11 January, with street food as its focus
Lead image: Ed Simmons / @negative_sunn
Coronavirus forced Greenwich Market to close its doors on 19 March, and since then it has been encouraging local residents and fans of the historic market everywhere to support its traders online.
The Greenwich hotspot has also hosted a number of virtual markets via Instagram since lockdown began in efforts to support independent traders, but nothing beats an IRL experience (in real life), does it?
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But, of course, things will be a little different, with a limited COVID-secure operation in place that focuses on a street food takeaway service.
Greenwich Market now has a spacious new layout, social-distancing barriers have been set up around the surrounding pavement, a one-way system is in operation, and a bike park has been set up to encourage visitors to cycle there rather than use public transport.
‘Greenwich Market now has a spacious new layout, social-distancing barriers and a one-way system’
Greenwich Market will be open from Thursday to Sunday, 11am-4.30pm, for hot and cold street food (takeaway only).
Initially the food stalls were due to open in Fry’s Court – the open-air space off Durnford Street unveiled in April 2016 following a huge revamp of the market – but inclement weather meant the stalls opened inside the main market.
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A more social-distancing-appropriate layout means there is space for eight hot and eight cold food traders, with the likes of The Oyster Brothers, Andes Empanadas and Meru Crêpes making a return.
It remains to be seen when the market’s popular arts and crafts traders will be able to reopen.
Other markets to reopen in London include Maltby Street Market (which reopened on 6 June as Maltby St Produce Market) and Camden Market (which reopened its food outlets on 1 June).
Borough Market has remained open throughout the pandemic, while Columbia Road Flower Market and Brick Lane Market have yet to announce reopening plans due to fears of overcrowding.
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