KNUTSFORD’S popular Makers Market could be switched from Princess Street to town centre car parks to make it easier for social distancing to take place.

The market was initially suspended by agreement with the organisers from April.

This suspension became mandatory under government regulations until June 1, when outdoor markets were allowed to reopen provided they were ‘Covid-safe’.

The return of the market is due to be discussed by members of the town council’s Events Committee next Wednesday.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Green said in a report to the committee that initial discussions took place with the organisers, and the council said it would not be appropriate for the market to return in its usual format along Princess Street due to the challenges this would present for social distancing for visitors and shops.

He said: “A discussion took place via email on the market returning for July, and the consensus among members was against a July market.”

The organisers produced two alternative proposals; a market on the Heath and one on the Princess Street and Silk Mill Street car parks.

Adam said: “Any proposal for a market on the Heath would require formal permission from the Planning Inspectorate as the temporary installation of stalls would constitute an obstruction to the common, requiring a Section 38 consent to be lawful.”

For this reason, the proposal which is being outlined in Adam’s report to next week’s committee is for a market on the car parks.

The draft stall layouts and risk assessment is appended to the report, outlining the measures which would need to be taken to minimise the spread of coronavirus as required by the government.

These include a reduced number of stalls, the removal of street performances and seating and reduced street food, increased spacing between stalls, the introduction of a one-way system, hand sanitiser stations for visitors, staff and traders, disinfection of stalls on set-up and pack down, and temperature testing of all stallholders.

The Knutsford Makers Market is normally held on the first Sunday of the month, with the next ones originally scheduled for August 2 and September 6.