Beloved Quayside Market returns for Christmas

Khanh Ngo looks into the reopening of the Quayside Market

Khanh Ngo
13th December 2020
After closing down the market in September, the city council says they now have the “necessary safety measures” to let it open every weekend in December.

The Quayside Market features street food, produce and craft traders, with stalls lined up along the Newcastle side of the Quayside from the Millenium Bridge, under the Tyne Bridge to the Swing Bridge.

Usually, the market only trades on Sundays, but this December, it will open from 9am to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday up until 20 December.

Image: Khanh Ngo

Visitors to the market are asked to practise social distancing and wear a face mask. They should stay in their household groups as much as possible but are allowed to meet other households outdoors in public spaces in groups of up to six under Tier 3 rules.

Newcastle City Council said: “Please social distance at all times when you visit and use the hand sanitiser stations located throughout the market. Follow the one-way system that is in place and you must wear a face covering at all times (unless you are exempt)”.

They also warned that a breach of safety protocols could lead to the market being shut down again "at short notice if necessary".

The market was reopened after the first lockdown ended in August but was forced to close again in September when the City Council said they could not safely marshal the market.

Small local businesses have been hit hard by this pandemic and with the annual Christmas market cancelled, bringing the Quayside Market back in the peak trading time of the year is sure to buoy the local economy and also the Christmas spirit.

Councillor Ged Bell said: “We are working closely with our partners NGI and NE1 to bring some Christmas cheer to the city during these difficult times, and we are committed to supporting local businesses.

“The market is home to many small independent traders who are the lifeblood of this city so its reopening should go some way to help them after what has been an incredibly difficult year.”

He added: "I encourage people to visit the market, support these traders and start looking forward to Christmas, but let's all do this safely so we can all continue to enjoy it".

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