HOLYWELL’S weekly market will be welcoming more stalls back to the street since the non-essential retail sector could reopen.

Welsh Government gave retailers the green light to open their shops from Monday, April 12.

Markets have been able to operate during the alert level four restrictions that faced the country since before Christmas on December 20 – however they were limited to selling essential items only such as food.

Now, 117 days later and with restrictions now lifted, Holywell can welcome back its non-essential retailers to the open-air market, held every Thursday.

Members of the town’s market group have been promoting the weekly set-up as a great way to support local businesses and offer a great alternative for those anxious about shopping indoors.

A spokesman for the market group told the Leader: “We are excited to see everyone return and hope that Holywell Community Market can now keep expanding. Given that we had almost four months of interruptions due to the re-opening of our high street to traffic, then Covid it has not stopped us from growing our market.

“There are still pitches left to fill but as our market becomes more established. We are optimistic that it won’t be long before the high street is full of stalls from one end to the other.

“Any traders looking for a new market especially due to the lack of trade during lockdowns and would like to give our market a go they can contact Peter Hayes in Flintshire County council email peter.hayes@flintshire.gov.uk.”

Over a dozen stalls expected to be set up on the town’s High Street on Thursday, April 15, ranging from unique handcrafted items and clothing to local produce.

The street will be closed off to vehicles as per usual to allow shoppers to take advantage of what the market has to offer without the worry of oncoming traffic.

Andrew Farrow, Flintshire’s Chief Officer for Planning, Environment and Economy, said: “The Council’s markets team has been working with traders offering guidance on social distancing rules and behaviour. The cooperation of all involved with the market is essential to maintaining a safe environment.

“Flintshire’s markets offer a wide range of stalls selling a great variety of goods and services and we hope that residents will take the opportunity over the coming weeks to show their support for their towns and support our markets.

“The social distancing measures put in place have been designed to help market traders as much as possible and to make the town centres as welcoming and comfortable as possible without compromising public health and safety.”

Holywell Market takes place every Thursday from 9am till 3pm on the High Street in the town centre.