The Covid-19 outbreak has brought London to a standstill, as businesses shut up shop and the nation retreats indoors. But people still need to eat – and good food, at that. With strict social distancing measures in place to avoid crowding, markets are still operating but with reduced services. Here are three still in business around the city of London.
Borough Market stays open while advocating social distancing
Market, American, Asian, European, South American, Caribbean, Street Food, Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian
As one of London’s oldest food markets, Borough Market is usually very much a tourist trap. It is staying open during this crisis – advocating that traders and customers stand two metres (six feet) apart as laid out by ground markers – but for public health purposes, the market asks that people “come, shop and leave”. From their Twitter account they specified that the community is still strong for those living and working locally, but the market is “no longer a place to commune but a place to shop for the essentials needed in these tough times”. There is plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to go around, while Magoo is the stall to visit for a selection of organic granola and muesli, and Monmouth Coffee is the go-to for your coffee beans. The market is operating during its usual hours, and is also offering a delivery service.
While it shut initially as Covid-19 panic swept the nation, Brixton Station Road Market has reopened. Respecting social distancing regulations, the market is open from 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturday, with Wednesday having a reduced service until 3pm, and the farmers’ market running from 9.30am until 2.30pm. Small businesses, including Old Post Office Bakery that is known for its fresh bread and vegan sausage rolls, will feed the local community. Meanwhile, other highlights include farm-fresh duck eggs and street food vendors serving up everything from Caribbean to Moroccan cuisine.
Currently trading from 8am until 4pm between Monday and Saturday, Ridley Road Market is staying open for food and home essentials only. Taking to Twitter to ask shoppers to come by only if they really need to, and to avoid gatherings of more than two people, they have their usual traders offering healthy, fresh foods from the Kingsland Road end of the market.
