Traders at Oxford’s Covered Market set up a crucial delivery service for customers during the pandemic.
But once restrictions were lifted the market became busy again with shoppers and tourists and it is has been full of shoppers in the run-up to Easter.
Here we feature photos of some of the traders who have offered a warm welcome to customers over the years.
Last summer, staff at Bonners fruit and veg stall in the Covered Market were still fighting the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on trade.
Read again: City in gridlock with roadworks causing major delays
Wholesale orders from university colleges and other businesses fell away overnight and manager Gordon Piggott and his wife Verity decided to create an online shop in order to survive.
It took off in a big way, and orders started to flood in for deliveries from across Oxfordshire.
Now, one year on, online deliveries are still going strong but the business is in a much stronger position after the bulk of its wholesale orders returned, following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Mr Piggott said earlier: “Online orders are still steady but now, once again, we have our wholesale orders from restaurants like No 1 Ship Street, and from the White Rabbit, the Story Museum, and from Wilding, the new restaurant in Little Clarendon Street.
“We also supply fruit and veg to quite a few different Oxford University colleges - Brasenose, Corpus Christi, Exeter, St John’s.
Read more: The four Oxfordshire gastropubs you need to visit
“It’s everything we missed last year - the wholesale side of the business is back with a vengeance.”
Mr Piggott said some fruit and veg is supplied by local farms.
“We get it soft fruits, asparagus and potatoes delivered from local places like Rectory Farm,” he added.
“There is also a farm at Hinton Waldrist supplying us.”
Mr Piggott is now hopeful that more office workers and international tourists will continue to return to the city centre.
Last year, with a flat rate delivery charge for all locations the online delivery service proved an attractive option for people at home during lockdowns and soon Bonners staff were using their vans to deliver goods from other stalls in the market, together with their fruit and veg.
Read more: Brand the Bus contest deadline is extended
These included Wicket Chocolate, The Oxford Cheese Company and Teardrop Brewery.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here