Covid-19 has turned our lives upside down. It has had a massively negative impact on most businesses, but one business you wouldn’t initially think of suffering because of it is farmers' markets. I interviewed Simon Greig who owns a farmers’ market in Wimbledon Village, as well as one by Victoria Station (which has been temporarily closed due to Covid), and St Paul's Cathedral, to find out how covid has affected him and his markets.

 

His market in Wimbledon is very popular. “The market works by inviting 25 traders to attend every Sunday from 10 am-3 pm. Each trader is allocated a pitch and brings along a 3mx3m or 2mx2m gazebo, table, and their produce. We are a food-based market with a focus on fresh produce. I do from time to time allow non-food traders such as candle or dog treat traders.”

 

Many businesses have had to adapt by going online, and people are now working from home, however, farmers' markets are already outside, and you can't work from home if you work at a market, so the changes made to accommodate covid were different, but still very inconvenient and frustrating. Mr Greig says, "We made several changes during covid. We reduced the market footprint by making the market smaller in trader numbers. We removed any trader that had queues, which meant coffee and hot food had to go. We created a one-way system around the main section of the market and limited the number of visitors. Barriers were introduced to force visitors to walk in a one-way system to limit contact with others. Everyone entering the one-way system was asked to wear a mask. Additional staff were hired to manage the footfall safely and social distancing signage was erected throughout. On social media, we asked locals to shop and go and not dwell and to wear a mask."

 

Not only has the market been affected but the traders who sell there have also felt the negative impact.

 

"Covid attracted a lot of negative attention for the market as some individuals didn’t want the market to be open during this time. Several locals complained to the Council. We were monitored by the Council every Sunday and Environmental Health and the police to make sure we were safe. This did not end until lockdown ended, and Council Covid marshals continued to visit after lockdown." It hasn’t all been negative though, and (as for many) there has been a silver lining to the pandemic:

 

"Covid did benefit the market. We are outdoor which is safer than shopping indoors in a supermarket and many locals took advantage of that and came to the market instead of going to the supermarket. Ready to eat traders such as baked food did very well as restaurants were closed. The spend per visitor increased hugely during lockdown. Particularly as people were working from home and saw shopping at the market as an activity that got them out of the house legitimately and there wasn’t much else to do."

 

Despite the positives, Covid has mainly been a disruption and Mr Grieg is looking forward to things getting back to normal. "None of the covid restrictions or changes will be kept except for a more cashless market. It’s important to return to normal. Local traders are many ranging from Wimbledon Common Honey to Wimbledon Brewery to Whisk (Arthur Road) to Forest Hills Gelato (Wimbledon based) and more. We used to have Valebona at the market, but they have since left to open a retail unit in the village. Local traders are hugely important to the market and so is making sure we are inclusive of the local community. We also have a young local lady who sells mistletoe on occasion."

 

Farmers' markets are a great way to support the small, local businesses that have been hit especially hard by Covid, and going to a farmers’ market is not only a fun way to shop, but it also means you are getting the highest quality food from good providers. Covid inevitably impacted the markets and how they ran, however, the quick changes made to get around it in markets such as the one in Wimbledon will have meant that, very importantly, people can continue to sell their products, even though some have had to close.