Farmers' market news with Gerb Gerbrands.

It is with heavy heart that we are announcing that Stroud farmers’ market will be closed with immediate effect.

We don’t want to put anyone at risk and although we spaced the stalls out last week and people were making some effort with the social distancing it was clearly way outside the 2m guideline.

The streets are narrow and the stalls make them narrower and we would be very much outside the guidelines. For this reason our agonising has concluded with the stark reality that we can’t operate with the safety of the public in mind.

Our decision follows many other markets around the UK closing and the fact that some of our regulars have decided to cease operating for now - Salt Bakehouse, Pippin Doughnuts and Funky Falafel being the first three.

We are delighted to be able to offer an alternative, however. On Saturday morning we will be operating a shop / pick up point and home delivery service from the empty shop sandwiched between Iceland and the Toy Shop in Union Street or if not in the shop then from the market square. We are encouraging stallholders to drop their produce with us as if they were coming to market and we will be serving customers safely.

Orders will be taken by email at markets@fresh-n-local.co.uk by Facebook messenger and on the market phone on Saturday, please keep an eye on the Facebook group and fresh-n-local.co.uk.

We will list all producers available this week, making up orders for collection and delivery and allowing a maximum of 2-3 people in the shop.