A POPULAR farmers' market is set to return this weekend with some changes in tow to make it socially distanced.

Brampton Farmers' Market will return on Saturday after being closed for the last few months.

It comes as the lockdown gradually eases.

Heather Tipler, organiser of the market, said: “As soon as they started lifting restrictions, when garden centres went back farmers markets' also came under the same lifting of restrictions.

“We’re at the end of month so we’re one of the last to go back and then Carlisle is the beginning of the month so that will be the next one to go back.”

Changes have been made to ensure that it will be compliant with government guidelines to ensure the safety of traders and shoppers.

There will be hand sanitiser and markings on the ground to keep people two metres apart.

“We’re adhering to the government guidelines so there will be the two meter rule,” said Heather.

“Each gazebo will have a two meter box in front of it and it will be one person at a time in that box.

“We have got hand sanitiser and we will be making sure it is safe for everybody.”

The farmers' market has been held in Brampton market place once a month for years, and it is a hub for local businesses.

Throughout the pandemic, it is small businesses which have been hit particularly hard.

“We’re very excited and relieved that we are able to bring it back because it has been quite a tough time for the traders,” said Heather.

“Some of them have been able to sell very successfully online and doing deliveries but I think for some of the smaller traders that this just wasn’t an option.

“We’re really pleased to start bringing it back so that life can go back to normal for them, or as normal as it can be.”

It will be reopening on a smaller scale for the time being with only food traders selling at the market this weekend.

People are encouraged to purchase their shopping ahead of time so they can just collect it on the day.

Andrew Tomkins, from Hallsford Farm Produce, said: “We are delighted that the farmers markets will be reopening again shortly. During the crisis we have had tremendous support from the local community.

“We reinvented the business over a two-week period moving to an online order and delivery system. The crisis highlighted the value of local delivery networks and its was so satisfying to see people discovering that local also means quality and value for money.

"We look forward to meeting old faces and new converts.”

The farmers' market will take place on Saturday in front of the Moot Hall between 9am-1.30pm.