Nurse begs for Christmas market in Sheffield to be cancelled after 2,500 people turn up

Organisers of a Christmas market in Sheffield attended by 2,500 people have defended the decision to trade during the pandemic.
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More than 2,500 people attended the Traxx Christmas Market in Chapeltown between 10am and 8pm on Saturday, December 5 and there are plans for it to operate again over the next two Saturdays.

Chapeltown Market Place, where an outdoor Christmas market was held on Saturday, December 5Chapeltown Market Place, where an outdoor Christmas market was held on Saturday, December 5
Chapeltown Market Place, where an outdoor Christmas market was held on Saturday, December 5

There were around 30 stalls and food outlets at last weekend’s market plus live music to entertain the crowds and funfair rides.

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But retired nurse Rachel Warner has criticised the decision to hold Christmas markets during a pandemic.

She said: “I am a retired nurse, who returned to work to help during the first lockdown, and if you saw what I did, you wouldn’t even have considered this market, us supposedly being in Tier 3.

“I beg you to cancel this market on the next two Saturdays. The organisers boasted of a 2,500 turnout, so how many of those spread Covid yesterday?

“The vaccine is arriving as we speak. Make sure people live to enjoy next year’s markets.”

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Traxx, which has a licence from Sheffield City Council to operate the market, said: “Since opening Traxx Market in Chapeltown in June 2020 we have ensured that we are Covid secure and have been informed that our measures are more than sufficient.

“We have one entrance/exit to the market and we monitor numbers in and out to ensure there are no more than 150 visitors in the marketplace at any time.

“We have a one way system around the market and hand sanitiser at the entrance and on every stall.

“We have track and trace and we have signs reminding people to socially distance.

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“Face masks are not compulsory as we operate outdoors but many visitors choose to wear them.

“We are a community run not for profit organisation who are providing a much needed outlet for small local businesses to sell their products during what has been an extremely challenging year. We are all volunteers who give up our time to provide a community market for all the community to enjoy.

“The feedback we have received from stallholders and visitors has been extremely positive and we are very proud of what we have achieved.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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