Horsham Markets go from strength to strength during COVID outbreak

Horsham’s town centre markets have continued to operate well throughout the lockdown, enabling locals to keep buying essential quality fresh produce.

Horsham Markets responded swiftly to the coronavirus situation by adapting their delivery methods to click and collect and home delivery services, whilst also observing social distancing guidelines for customers still wishing to shop at the market stalls on Saturdays in the Carfax and Bishopric areas of Horsham.

Feedback from grateful walk-up customers has remained really positive and business levels have increased over recent weeks, with new products and services being added all the time.

One of the most recent additions to the Horsham Markets’ online offering is Garlic Wood Events with its frozen ready meals.

Garlic Wood Events is also donating a meal to local vulnerable people for every £10 of orders of their ready meals. Some 100 meals have been donated to local community group Horsham Matters over the last three weeks to help vulnerable locals at this time.

Customers are urged to take advantage of the online food ordering options for Horsham Markets by going to www.horshammarkets.co.uk

Click and Collect orders can be placed up until 12 noon of the Friday before each Saturday market but check online as certain product lines may have longer lead times.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy Cllr Paul Clarke said:

“The availability of essential produce is a vital service to members of the public.

“I am really pleased that by observing social distancing health and safety measures and switching their distribution methods, our market traders are being able to continue selling their goods at this difficult time.”

Food Rocks who operate Horsham Markets on behalf of the Council added:

“We are delighted to have been able to roll out the home delivery and click and collect services which have enabled our traders to continue to supply wonderful quality local produce to the community during these difficult times and we hope to continue and expand the service in the long term.”

Fans of the regular ‘Horsham Rocks Presents’ bandstand gigs during the Carfax market have even been able to enjoy a Facebook Live virtual bandstand gig each week from 1pm, complete with virtual busking bucket. This Saturday sees local favourite Paul Stanworth return with another two hour set of crowd pleasing covers, guaranteed to lift lockdown spirits.

The Council’s markets’ strategy has been validated by an online poll, conducted in March 2020, which drew over 540 responses.

26% of respondents said they would only use a walk up market. 55% said they would prefer a click and collect service and 77% voted for a home delivery service from the markets.

Click and collect and home delivery options currently available from the Carfax are as follows:

Carfax Horsham Markets

Orders via www.horshammarkets.co.uk

Click and Collect option available from 9am to 2pm every Saturday.

Home Delivery (within 5 miles from Carfax) – Order by Friday 12 noon for deliveries from 10am to 6pm.

Bishopric Market

For Bishopric fruit and vegetable orders please also email www.horshammarkets.co.uk .

Article Tags: #carfax #covid19support