Aylesbury and Winslow markets adapt to pandemic by offering call and collect service for shoppers

Market traders in Aylesbury and Winslow are still operating, and have now launched a call and collect service to help shoppers get what they need.

For many going to a big supermarket is a option which fills them with dread. But the service could offer a safer and anxiety reducing solution.

Aylesbury’s Friday market and Winslow Wednesday market have continued to be open through the pandemic while adhering to Government guidelines restricting them to only sell essential food items and to maintain social distancing.

With trading hours of just 9am to 2pm, traders have joined with the council to trial a ‘call and collect’ service, in the hope of reducing queues and allowing vulnerable residents to get access to quality foods.

Council staff will list food items the day before each market on Facebook, residents can then view and call traders directly. They will then be allocated a collection slot between 9am to 1pm on the day of the food market, where stewards will be on hand to help load cars.

In Winslow there is a wide range of fruit and vegetables, fresh bakery items, pasta, spaghetti, some tinned vegetables, toilet roll, eggs, cheese, meat from a local farm and fresh fish from Grimsby.

In Aylesbury there is fruit and vegetables, fresh bakery items, pasta, spaghetti, some tinned vegetables, toilet roll, eggs, cheese, a wide selection of meat, self raising, plain flour, soft drinks and a wide selection of fresh fish from Lowestoft.

Buckinghamshire Council’s executive portfolio holder for health and culture, Cllr Gareth Williams says “Local businesses are the beating heart of our county and it’s important we support them through this difficult time. This week is a trial run to help us understand the demand and requirements to make this successful and a great way to show how council and business can work together, truly in the spirit of #ProudofBucks”

To see the list of food items before market, and to put in your order, please search Facebook for Winslow Wednesday Market https://www.facebook.com/Winslowwednesdaymarkettraders/ and Aylesbury Market https://www.facebook.com/Aylesburymarkettraders/