Big change after 150 years as Doncaster market starts to get back to normal

The historic walls of Doncaster Corn Exchange have seen a lot over the years.
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Since being built 150 years ago, they have seen two world wars come and go, Winston Churchill making speeches under its roof, and Elgar conducting concerts inside its doors.

But in all that history, it is unlikely it has looked as it does today.

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The hall is one of a number of sections of Doncaster Market which have re-opened after a three month shutdown. It is not the first time trading has been disrupted – business had to stop in 1994 after a devasting fire left the building needing major restoration work, which was duly completed.

Doncaster Market. Greta Denton's stall at the Corn ExchangeDoncaster Market. Greta Denton's stall at the Corn Exchange
Doncaster Market. Greta Denton's stall at the Corn Exchange

Today, however, yellow and black tape can be seen all around. At the door, a hand sanitiser dispenser is a clear change, and the first of the signs warning shoppers and traders to keep a safe social distance in the new climate of post-coronavirus lockdown shopping.

No sooner are you past the door, an arrow, created from yellow and black striped tape, points to the left, feeding into a one way system.

Walking through, at least one trader can be seen wearing a clear plastic visor-style transparent face mask.

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One of the first stalls you get to is Greta Denton’s Adams Work Wear stall. Greta has been working on Doncaster market for 40 years. She’s seen many changes over that time, and has even changed her own business from hosiery to work wear in the past, but is glad to be back trading, and wants to see more shoppers returning to spending at the market.

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She said: “I think people are just glad to be able to get out and about again. Last week I was quite surprised how busy it was here – it was busier than I expected after 13 weeks away. It would be great if it carried on like that, but we do need all the help we can get.

“We’ve been shut down and people have been shopping online. I think there are people out there who aren’t aware of us.”

Maria Bevan, who runs a stall in the same building, Bags of Personality, selling crafts and bags said she was having a quiet day, but agreed the first day after the town centre re-opened was a good day for business.

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“A lot of those coming down have been new people,” she added.

Doncaster Market Joseph CandirDoncaster Market Joseph Candir
Doncaster Market Joseph Candir

Derek Carver, who runs Decades vintage and retro stall said before lockdown, the Corn Exchange had suffered wih fewer people coming in while it was encircled by scaffolding. He said he hoped to see traders get together for special events in the future to bring in more people.

In the outdoor market square, sprawling in front of the Corn Exchange, the yellow and black tape continues, a cheery colour under the June sun. It marks a one way system through the grid of stalls, and with lines at 2m intervals showing shoppers how far they should keep away from one another.

Trade has been slow here since stalls were allowed to re-open, says John Duffield. John, aged 66, from Intake, has been a trader for 32 years, and admits he enjoyed being able to spend time with his family during lockdown. He sells and exchanges jigsaws from his stall.

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“It’s been disappointing since we returned three weeks ago,” he said. “I fear shopping habits may have changed towards the internet.”

Shops in Doncaster Town Centre start to reopen on Monday June 15th. A busy Doncaster Market. Picture: Chris EtchellsShops in Doncaster Town Centre start to reopen on Monday June 15th. A busy Doncaster Market. Picture: Chris Etchells
Shops in Doncaster Town Centre start to reopen on Monday June 15th. A busy Doncaster Market. Picture: Chris Etchells

He says people are trickling back but was concerned how things may be affected.

“We’d like to see people shopping with us again now,” he said. “It is more social than the internet, and you meet people.”

On a nearby stall, selling cigarette papers and e-cigarettes, Ali Nabzadeh, a trader of nine years, agreed things had been quiet. “I would urge people to come back to the market,” he said.

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Bordering the open air market, the sounds of the traders voices in the recently revamped Wool Market is interspersed with the buzz of power tools.

Hand sanitiser again marks the entrance, and yellow and black tape again shows a one way route and 2m separation lines. The route takes the customer in from the open air market side, and out onto the other side of the building, on Market Road.

Inside, workmen are busy making changes to some of the stalls.

The Corn Exchange, Doncaster. The Corn Exchange, Doncaster.
The Corn Exchange, Doncaster.

Many of those operating here are in the catering sector, and after recently announced moves to allow them to open early in July, they are getting ready, making alterations to their stalls.

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Among them is Joseph Candir, from Town Moor, He runs a food stall at the Wool Market, as well as a restaurant in Priory Walk.

He says he will be ready to open when given the go-ahead.

“The last three months have been difficult,” he said. “We will have missed some of the summer, but hopefully will still get a few months of good weather to help trade.”

Joseph employs seven people and hopes to be able to get them back to work, although needs to see how trade is going. He may consider extending his hours of opening.

“It may even be that we need to employ more because of social distancing. We don’t know yet,” he added.

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It is not just the food outlets that are pleased that catering businesses are to be re-opened.

John McCabe believes that the return of the food outlets will bring in more customers into the market.

John, from Scawsby, runs a stall at the wool market selling furniture, pictures and mirrors. “I’m optimistic it will get better once the food opens,” he said. “We’ve only just re-opened, and our first Saturday trading was good.”

Julie Grey, who runs a stall selling autographed sports memoribilia in the wool market believes trade benefited from its re-opening being close to Fathers Day, with people shopping for gifts.

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While some talk of shopping moving from town centres to websites, she has moved in the other direction. Julie, from Bawtry, initially set up online, but opened a stall selling directly to customers last September.

She continued with some online sales during lockdown, doing personal, non-contact, deliveries.

“People like to see what they’re buying,” she said. “And I don’t like to post framed items. Also, it is nice to be able to talk to people here.

“It’s nice to be back, and from my point of view, it helps that the football season has restarted so people are interested in sport again. My message is support your local businesses.”

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And who is proving the biggest hit with football fans at the moment?

Julie said the biggest demand at present on her stall was for Leeds United related memoribilia.

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