Horsham town centre markets going from ‘strength to strength’

Horsham town centre markets are thriving during lockdown according to the council.
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A Horsham District Council spokeswoman said the markets have gone from ‘strength to strength’ in recent weeks, allowing residents to buy essential produce.

The markets responded to the current situation by adapting delivery methods to click and collect and home delivery while also observing social distancing guidelines for customers still wishing to shop at the market stalls on Saturdays in the Carfax and Bishopric areas of Horsham.

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She added: “Feedback from grateful walk-up customers has remained really positive and business levels have increased over recent weeks, with new products and services being added all the time.”

Toby from Garlic Wood Events delivering free meals to community group Horsham Matters.Toby from Garlic Wood Events delivering free meals to community group Horsham Matters.
Toby from Garlic Wood Events delivering free meals to community group Horsham Matters.

One of the most recent additions to the Horsham Markets’ online offering is Garlic Wood Events with its frozen ready meals.

Garlic Wood Events is also donating a meal to local vulnerable people for every £10 of orders of their ready meals, the spokeswoman said.

She added: “Some 100 meals have been donated to local community group Horsham Matters over the last three weeks to help vulnerable locals at this time.”

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Customers are urged to take advantage of the online food ordering options for Horsham Markets by going to www.horshammarkets.co.uk .

Click and collect orders can be placed up until midday on the Friday before each Saturday market but customers are urged to check online as certain product lines may have longer lead times.

Horsham District Council cabinet member for the local economy councillor Paul Clarke said: “The availability of essential produce is a vital service to members of the public.

“I am really pleased that by observing social distancing health and safety measures and switching their distribution methods, our market traders are being able to continue selling their goods at this difficult time.”

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Food Rocks, which operates Horsham Markets on behalf of the council, added: “We are delighted to have been able to roll out the home delivery and click and collect services which have enabled our traders to continue to supply wonderful quality local produce to the community during these difficult times and we hope to continue and expand the service in the long term.”

The council’s markets’ strategy has been validated by an online poll, conducted in March 2020, which drew over 540 responses, according to the spokeswoman.

She said 26 per cent of respondents said they would only use a walk up market, 55 per cent said they would prefer a click and collect service and 77 per cent voted for a home delivery service from the markets.

Click and collect is currently available from 9am to 2pm every Saturday and home delivery within five miles of the Carfax for orders placed by midday Friday from the Carfax Horsham Markets, the council said.

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Deliveries will be made between 10am and 6pm and orders should be placed via www.horshammarkets.co.uk

For Bishopric fruit and vegetable orders please also email www.horshammarkets.co.uk

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