The market stall in Seven Sisters Road that has been ordered to close

MARKET traders are questioning the Town Hall’s blanket ban on stalls during the coronavirus lockdown, insisting they should be allowed to provide fresh fruit and vegetables with the same permission given to shops.

Islington asked all stallholders across the borough to shut down earlier this month, although in other areas of London – including neighbouring Camden – farmers’ markets and outdoor food training is still permitted.

Traders say they should be trusted to implement safe social-distancing measures used by other retailers.

Keith West, who has run a fruit and veg stall outside the Enkel Arms in Seven Sisters Road for more than 30 years, was told to shut down after opening up again this week.

“Our understanding was that the council would come down and have a look to see if what we were doing was acceptable,” said Mr West. “I accept I may have jumped the gun a bit, but this was just a miscommunication.”

He had erected two-metre spacing signs on the pavement, as seen in other shops, and a large banner asking people to keep their distance. Stall staff who had access to face masks also wore them while working.

Keith West (right) with business partner Cameron Spence

Mr West told the Tribune he thought the council should judge each market stall on its merits, in terms of how safely they could operate with social distancing measures in place.

“My opinion is the council should come and judge how safe we are,” he said.

“We put a plan in place today, and we followed that plan. People were over the moon to see us. We are providing a public service to a lot of people who don’t want to spend hours in a massive queue to get into a crowded supermarket. Surely it’s better for people to shop outdoors in a way? And we’re helping key workers. Hospital staff come by and pick up some fruit or veg after their shifts and thank us for being open.”

Mr West added: “The government’s own advice says it expects market stalls selling food or essential equipment to stay open.”

The government’s coronavirus website states that outdoor and indoor markets should close, but includes an exception for “market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food”.

There has been a debate over how far restrictions have been unfolding all over London: while Camden is more relaxed about food stalls, its decision to allow a farmers’ market in West Hampstead to go on led to much social media deliberation.

Charlie Antonio, who has run his own fruit and veg stall outside Peacocks in Seven Sisters Road for 30 years, said: “When I am going to the shops, a lot of customers are arguing with me and saying they need food and that I should be helping them by keeping my stall open. It makes me feel I am letting them down.”

He added: “There’s always big queues in the supermarkets and when you finally get in there’s barely any fruit or veg. I feel like the council didn’t give us a chance to show we can stick to distancing measures. We had lines sorted and everything.”

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “The health of our residents is a top priority for the council, and we are working hard to limit the spread of coronavirus. When we reviewed the government’s guidance regarding social distancing, we reluctantly took the decision to close all street trading across the borough until further notice.

“We are keeping this decision under review and look forward to our traders returning once it is safe to do so.”