Coronavirus: Chichester District Council responds to concerns as people gather at city centre market

That was the response from Chichester District Council after residents voiced concerns about the weekly city centre market, which went ahead yesterday (Wednesday, March 25), despite the country-wide lockdown.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, all non-essential business workers have been asked to work from home with people only permitted to leave their home for essential shopping and one form of exercise a day.

However, residents were left angered after pictures emerged of people gathering in Chichester's city centre to visit the market stalls yesterday afternoon.

An event manager in the city was one of the people to raise concerns. She said: "As a self-employed event manager who has had to cancel and postpone recent events, and I'm likely to have lost a whole season's work, I know how hard it is. But allowing the weekly market to go ahead could kill people. Shameful."

Chichester District Council said 'only five food stalls were out at the market' and 'all had significant space between them'.

A spokesperson added: "There were cones showing the distance that people needed to keep inbetween them.

"There was also hand gel and signage offering people advice on social distancing.

"We had also given the market operator information on the necessary hygiene precautions that they must take and precautions needed to meet the social distancing rules.

"However, we do understand people’s concerns and we are reviewing the situation."

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