Fashion and gift stores plus other non-essential shops in Oxford’s Covered Market are set to reopen on Monday.

The market, which is managed by Oxford City Council, has been open for essential shops and a number of traders have offered click and collect and delivery services during the lockdown.

The latest Government guidance is being followed and shoppers will still be expected to follow social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings.         

Traders must restrict the number of people inside each unit, leave doors open so shoppers do not have to touch door handles, provide hand sanitisers where necessary and wear face coverings.

READ ALSO: Kidlington firefighter to hike 100km round Blenheim for Rett UK

The market will be open seven days a week and the trading hours will return to Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm and 10am to 4pm on Sundays from April 18.

The opening hours of individual traders are likely to vary and the public can keep up to date on the Covered Market’s social media and website.

For more information, visit: www.oxfordcoveredmarket.com

Meanwhile some of the Covered Market’s restaurants and cafes could reopen fully from mid-May. At the moment they can only offer a takeaway service.

Elaine Philip, markets manager at Oxford City Council, said: “The Covered Market is a much-loved community asset and the City Council is focused on reopening it to support over 50 small independent traders and their customers.

"It’s a key step towards welcoming shoppers back into the city centre safely.”