THE welcome return of customers is something which is drawing real excitement among traders at Warrington Market.

A full line-up of traders are re-opening from today, Monday, with outdoor dining returning to the Cookhouse.

As national restrictions on non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality ease, customers are able to enjoy the full range of traders available at the market for the first time since before Christmas.

Multi-award winning Warrington Market is home to more than 50 fantastic independent traders, selling a wide range of fresh food, gifts and services.

This also includes hot and cold food options at the Cookhouse, which is home to 11 worldwide food outlets and two independent bars where you can dine outside or takeaway.

Re-opening traders are joined by some new faces, including Batch Bottlestore, which is located in the main market hall and has more than 200 varieties of craft beers, artisan spirits and wines.

A new trader has also joined the Cookhouse mix, with Cotto Pasta Kitchen serving up a range of authentic Italian pasta dishes.

There is a full complement of Cookhouse favourites open, and customers will be able dine outside on the terrace or pick up food to take away and enjoy at home.

Warrington Guardian:

Steve Park, Warrington’s director of growth, said: “Despite coronavirus restrictions, the new Warrington Market has got off to a really successful start.

“Unfortunately, due to the national lockdown, only essential traders have been able to remain open, so it is great news that all of our traders can now open, and we can welcome back more customers to enjoy everything the market has to offer.

“From people visiting our fantastic range of stalls to families and friends enjoying the outdoor dining at the Cookhouse, we look forward to the market being a bustling hive of activity, which is great news for our town centre as the roadmap out of lockdown continues.”

To enjoy dining on our outdoor terrace safely, customers are asked to head to the desk under the gazebo at the entrance to the market and check in using the NHS Test and Trace app before being allocated a seat.

You can do this by scanning the barcode or giving your details to the staff member on duty.

You will not be allowed to access the outdoor dining area until all members of your group have checked in, as this is required by law.

Groups are limited to six people or two households, and anyone who refuses to leave details will not be able to use the outdoor dining area.

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You will then be allocated a table if there is space available – outdoor seating is limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis with no bookings.

Food and drink can be ordered using contactless table service only, details about which are located on tables.

If you want to pick up food to takeaway, you can order directly from the stalls or online.

A Warrington Borough Council spokesman added: “We continue to work with our traders to ensure the building is Covid-secure, and there are safety measures in place to help keep you and others safe.

“We are asking customers to maintain social distancing, wear a face covering while inside the building, follow queuing systems at stalls, use the hand sanitiser stations available, use contactless payments where possible and follow the Cookhouse rules for dining outside.”

The main market hall will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, while the Cookhouse will open until 7pm Monday to Thursday, and 9pm on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit warrington.gov.uk/market or follow @warringtonmkt on social media.