Chorley market on the move as part of plans to improve social distancing in the town centre

Part of Chorley’s Tuesday outdoor market will be temporarily relocated to try to improve compliance with social distancing measures.
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Stalls which usually line Chapel Street will be shifted to Fazakerley Street and Market Street, meaning the latter will be closed to through traffic on market day for as long as the revised layout is in place.

The new looks come into force this week, after traders returned to the town last Tuesday for the first time since lockdown – with business reportedly brisk.

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Chorley Council had implemented a one-way system along Chapel Street for the market’s reopening, but in a letter sent to businesses the authority concluded that it was “largely ineffective and proved to be disruptive to pedestrian flow around the town centre”.

Chorley's outdoor market had a busy first day back in operation last weekChorley's outdoor market had a busy first day back in operation last week
Chorley's outdoor market had a busy first day back in operation last week

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that other changes are also under consideration as Chorley readies itself for the full resumption of retail from 15th June – when all non-essential shops are currently expected to be allowed to reopen.

Customers queueing for B&M Bargains in Market Walk shopping centre will next week likely be asked to line up outside the store’s Clifford Street entrance in order to allow for queues to form at other retailers in the precinct once they reopen. A lane would be closed on Clifford Street to accommodate the change.

A one-way system has already been successfully implemented in Market Walk to enable shoppers to keep two metres apart – one of the key ways to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

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Meanwhile, a parking bay at the top of Chapel Street, where the footpath narrows, is also expected to be temporarily closed.

A one-way system is in operation in Market Walk (image: Chorley Council)A one-way system is in operation in Market Walk (image: Chorley Council)
A one-way system is in operation in Market Walk (image: Chorley Council)

Marshalling will also be increased on both market and non-market days to encourage people to keep their distance from each other.

Malcolm Allen, chair of Chorley Traders’ Association, said retailers would not normally support the closure of Market Street – but understand that it is the best solution in times of social distancing.

“On Chapel Street last week, there were some people not keeping their distance and others ignoring the one-way signs.

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“There were also queues to get into some of the shops which were already open – so if you add in the stores which will reopen later this month and the market stalls themselves, that would not be a good combination.

The queue for entry to B&M Bargains could move to Clifford Street once all non-essential retailers reopen form 15th June (image: Google Streetview)The queue for entry to B&M Bargains could move to Clifford Street once all non-essential retailers reopen form 15th June (image: Google Streetview)
The queue for entry to B&M Bargains could move to Clifford Street once all non-essential retailers reopen form 15th June (image: Google Streetview)

“So until this pandemic passes, Market Street is the best place for the Tuesday market rather than not having it at all – although it may put a bit of pressure on traffic on the bypass.

“The council saw the problem last week and they’ve come up with a plan so that Chorley is functioning fully once all the shops reopen,” Malcolm added.

Cllr Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council said: “Although we put numerous measures in place last week, we monitored the situation throughout the day so we could look at making changes for this week and when non-essential retail businesses reopen from 15th June.

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"As space is at a premium, this week we’ll be closing a section of Market St and relocating some stalls there to help free up space on Chapel St. This should allow a better flow of pedestrian traffic in that area, which will help with social distancing – we’ll see how it goes and make changes where necessary.

"You can expect to see further measures in place this week, such as even more staff marshalling in the town centre, more signage, more hand sanitising stations. We’re also looking at reintroducing the tariff on the short stay car parks from next week to try and increase usage for shoppers.

"We’ll continue to review the situation and make necessary changes, but I can’t stress enough that there is also a responsibility on everyone to make sure they adhere to the signs and guidelines.”

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