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Hemel Hempstead market has welcomed back the plant lady as the lockdown restrictions are being slowly lifted.

Saunders Market Ltd, which runs Hemel Hempstead, now has a fruit and veg stall, a butcher, a fishmonger and on Thursday, the plant lady was allowed to reopen her stall as garden centres across the UK reopened their doors to the public.

Gary Saunders, of Saunders Marker Ltd, has been pleased with the way customers have followed the social distancing guidelines while shopping in the market. Hemel Hempstead outdoor market trades in the pedestrianised area of the high street, in the town centre.

Hemel Hempstead Market (C) Saunders Market

Gary said: "I think it is a massive benefit to have a market outside, we can spread stalls out traders can adjust their stall layout to keep customers separated

"We currently have a fruit and veg stall, butcher, fishmonger and on Thursday we welcomed back Kerry and her 'Finest Plants'.

"We are hopeful that it will be quite positive having an outdoor market, it is quite spacious so social distancing will be relatively okay to maintain.

"My biggest concern is about non-essential retail shops and stalls reopening, will the smaller businesses be able to come back from this.

Hemel Hempstead Market (C) Saunders Markets

"Coronavirus has had a massive impact on everyone, especially businesses and in particular independent, smaller businesses.

"Looking forward, we will have to see what happens when all shops and businesses can re-open.

"It has been devastating to have to shut for two months and for a lot of businesses they will still be closed until June.

"We are looking at the positives and the stalls that are open have managed to maintain social distancing and the public have followed the rules, it will be more difficult to manage when more people come out and more places open.

The fruit and veg stall at Hemel Hempstead market (C) Saunders Market

"We will open additional stalls when we are allowed to, hopefully in June. The gradual process has allowed us to open stalls in stages and has helped.

"We are following government guidelines with regards to when we can open and what we have to do to maintain everyone's health and safety."

The stalls are open on the following days at Hemel Hempstead market:

- Fruit and Veg: Monday to Saturday

- Butcher: Thursday and Saturday

- Fishmonger: Thursday

- Plant lady: Thursday

For more about Hemel Hempstead Market, visit: www.facebook.com/HemelHempsteadMarket.

Plant stall reopens at Hemel Hempstead market