BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET SET TO GO AHEAD BUT FINAL CONFIRMATION STILL AWAITED

UPDATE: 3pm Friday, March 27th - the farmers' market and Saturday and Thursday general markets in Brigg have been cancelled until further notice.


Confirmation that Brigg Farmers' Market this weekend and the town's general Thursday and Saturday markets will continue is awaited from North Lincolnshire Council today (Tuesday, March 24) in the light of the Coronavirus emergency and stringent additional restrictions being announced overnight.
Brigg Blog attended last night's monthly meeting of the Town Council during which Coun Rob Waltham, the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said the farmers' market on Saturday (March 28) would be going ahead.
Then, less than an hour later, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on TV and effectively put the country in lockdown, closing many more shops and businesses and restricting gatherings of people to a maximum of two unless they are from the same household.
However, a document released by the government says there is an exception for market stalls (indoor and outdoor) "which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food."
Overnight, Brigg Blog has asked the council to clarifying the position about the town's markets. No reply had been received by 10am today when we posted this update.
Earlier this morning we were all set to post the following: "Brigg Farmers' Market is back ON again this Saturday (March 28). This was revealed to us by Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham, the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, while we chatted to him in the town centre at the weekend.
"The monthly farmers' markets for March and April had appeared on a list of cancelled events compiled by the local authority.
"Coun Rob is also keen to see Brigg's Thursday and Saturday markets continue."
When he addressed Brigg Town Council colleagues last night (Monday) the Leader confirmed plans to permit the farmers' market to proceed, enabling the purchase of food items.
Last Saturday's general market and the one on Thursday, March 19 went ahead but with fewer traders than usual.
Brigg's markets - general and farmers' - have open air stalls.
Farmers' markets start at 9.30am and give people an opportunity to buy a wide range of produce direct from the people who make it.
A sign advertising this Saturday's farmers' market was in place on railings near the Monument last night (Monday) when we made our way to the Angel for the council meeting.
IMPORTANT UPDATE TO FOLLOW....