Gosport traders return to the town as open markets allowed to reopen for business

A small selection of stalls turned out in the warm weather on Tuesday, following the return of Fareham’s market on Monday, with business owners ensuring social-distancing and hygiene measures were put in place to keep customers safe.

Nikki Eastland from Giddy Goat Yarns and Accessories was overjoyed to put her first stall out on the day Gosport’s offering reopened.

She said: ‘I had an absolutely amazing time, it was my very first stall so it was a massive learning curve for me but I have met some absolutely amazing people.

‘Fingers crossed I will be down there as a permanent feature.’

Councillor Mark Hook, leader of the Gosport Borough Council, said: ‘To help traders, we are waiving the first month of pitch fees as we understand the difficulties businesses have faced in recent months.

‘Soon we hope to see our shopping streets more full of life, which is good for the local economy and for jobs. I would encourage residents to use our local businesses and support them where they can whilst ensuring we all stay safe at the same time.’

Grzegorz Zurek, who runs a stall selling wooden items, said it had been quiet at the market despite the nice weather and more should be done to entice traders into the town.

The 49-year-old added: ‘This is a very big high street, it is empty. For customers it is not good because there is no competition and there is less reason to come here. If customers have more shops and traders they have more reason to come.’

Nicholas Green, who owns Little Slice of Heaven bakery in the high street, has been doing well for trade during lockdown due to diversifying into selling flour, eggs and yeast.

However, he would like to see the town’s empty premises filled with businesses to bring shoppers in.

Nicholas said: ‘The council needs to start listening to the shops and this is the problem in Gosport.

‘They should do something with the high street - between myself and the ferry there are 15 empty premises.’

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