'Support your local traders' as Luton Indoor Market prepares to reopen

On Monday, March 29, essential traders will return to Luton Indoor Market as it opens its doors between 9am and 3pm. Shops open from this date will include three supermarkets - Riley's, Wilai Thai Foods and Bhaker Foods - as well as Keith Ashleigh fishmongers and Nazir Halal butchers.

Food and restaurant stalls will also be allowed to reopen from this date, but some of these traders have yet to confirm their plans.

Luton Indoor Market will reopen completely with normal operating hours of 9am to 5pm on Monday, April 12, allowing all non-essential retailers to resume trade.

Marcus Bell, general manager at Luton Indoor Market, said: "It's massively important for people to come out and support their local traders. Probably 90% of us live in and around Luton and we really need the support our local customers.

"I'm passionate about the market, I've been here for four years and I work hard to meet the needs of all our traders along with those of our company.

"They need to succeed and they need to have the support of the community to make a success of their businesses."

The market was temporarily closed on January 9 by its owner Castlepoint Markets, following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Luton over the New Year, as well as The Mall's decision to restrict its entrances and exits.

Because the market was not closed as a direct result of the November lockdown, most traders have not been entitled to any help from the Local Restriction Support Grant (LRSG) - a discretionary fund managed by Luton Borough Council.

Covid-19 rates have since reduced considerably in Luton and across the UK, with a roadmap out of lockdown laid out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.