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By Michael Brown

Senior Staff Writer

25 March 2020

| | 2 min read

Council supports traders as Grainger Market sees record food sales during Coronavirus outbreak

Grainger Market traders have been overwhelmed by demand for fresh food during the coronavirus outbreak, with stalls recording record sales.

Grainger Market on a pre-Coronavirus outbreak day
Grainger Market on a pre-Coronavirus outbreak day

As families looked to stock up, visitor numbers peaked on Saturday, when all the historic marketplace’s butchers sold completely out of meat for the day.

Now, with more stringent measures to curb the spread of the virus in place, Newcastle City Council has redeployed staff to support businesses to deliver groceries to customers who are following Government guidance to stay home. 

Cllr Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Everyone in Newcastle knows that the Grainger Market is a jewel in our city’s crown and somewhere that brings people together and has a real sense of community.

 “I am absolutely delighted that we as a council can support them to continue to supply households across the city with fresh and local produce even if they cannot physically visit its stalls at this most difficult of times.”

Grainger Market remains open

 The market building remains open for fresh food and grocery shopping, though with additional cleaning and social distancing measures in place. Opening times are also subject to change at short notice.

Any potential customers should consider the Government’s message to stay two metres (6ft) away from other people and continue to follow hand washing guidance.

Grainger Market food deliveries

A delivery system is currently in place for those who are unable to visit in person, with the council redeploying staff and vehicles from the authority’s Parking Services team to assist in getting food out to households.

 For more information visit www.graingerdelivery.com