Row looms over Kelso Farmers Market

Kelso Farmers Market says there will be a food market this Saturday, a decision which has angered many.

Organisers of the event in the town square say they have put enhanced safety measures in place, in order to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions, including:

• A one-way system. • Stewards on the entrance and exit controlling numbers within the site, and extra stewars within the market to help manage customer queuing at stalls and to monitor social distancing. • Customers are asked to wear face masks at all times, even though it’s an outside event, sanitise hands on entry and exit, only touch items they are buying, and there is a restriction of one person/household at a stall at one time. • All stallholders have rigorous Covid risk management measures in place. • People are asked not to travel excessively to attend. • Only food suppliers have been asked to take a stall.

They have advertised the event on the group’s Facebook page, but many locals have complained, with some calling for a boycott of the market.

Veronica Barron posted: “Totally irresponsible having this on and you yourself are totally irresponsible putting this on. We are meant to stay at home and not travel.”

Margo Martin said: “Would like to know how far some of the stall holders need to travel to come to Kelso. Remember we are being told stay home.”

And Keith Moffat commented: “If they go ahead with this,people should boycott all the future Farmers Markets in Covid safe times.”

Some, though, are happy for it to go ahead, with some mentioning that it is safer to shop outside in this way, than it is in a supermarket.

Other such markets across the Borders have been cancelled until restrictions are eased.

Caroline Cochrane, who organises the market in Selkirk, told us: “Selkirk Farmers Market won’t be up and running again until March at the earliest.

"I understand stall holders wishing to come along as it is their livelihood and many small businesses are currently struggling.

"Many of our current stall holders live in different parts of the Borders and would need to travel. However, I feel it is our moral standing not to encourage large groups to congregate at this present time.”