We were, we confess, a little surprised to learn that one of London’s most renowned – and let’s face it – cramped tourist attractions is now open again, at least for streetfood and outdoor-only mooches.
Careful to maintain they’re closely following government guidelines, it’s back for “visitors to spend some socially-distanced time in the sun and eat from one of our many restaurants and street food operators (collection and delivery only).”
But – Covid lack of tourists and the usual thousands of visitors aside – we wondered what readers thought and popped the question out on Facebook and Twitter yesterday.
While overall many responses were of the “too early” variety, opinions in fact varied more than you might think on the two social media platforms.
On Twitter some users declared that locals “don’t use the market” and “avoid” it at the best of times anyway.
Not a chance. I won’t be going within 3m of it. But then I rarely did anyway.
— Alison Duker (@alisonduker) June 4, 2020
As a Camden / Kentish Town former resident I fail to see how social distancing can be adhered to in @CamdenMarket. https://t.co/olv7rHPeeT
— Hannah White (@hannahwhiteuk) June 4, 2020
I’m not desperate enough for knock-off headphones or a witty slogan t-shirt right now so not really concerned. As others have said it’s not really locals who shop there and the owners ruined it long before Covid had a chance to.
— Benjamin Cooke (@rainingBen) June 4, 2020
Others tried to see it from the traders’ point of view:
While not many locals visit opening it will likely attract tourists to Camden. This influx will most likely be ppl travelling to the area and may pose an increased risk to at-risk locals. So, worried about it opening but people do need to make a living.
— Tara Griffin (@taragriff) June 4, 2020
Meanwhile on our Facebook page, some readers suggested social distancing means it is much more pleasantly quiet than before:
Others argued that it’s, yep, too early (with a few expected Dominic Cummings gags thrown in for good measure, of course).
The final word must go to this long-suffering reader:
Yuck. And yet sometimes if you gotta go, you gotta go…so surely some kind of socially distanced, sanitiser-heavy public toilet needs to reopen asap, as crowds inevitably begin to consume Camden again?
While we all ponder that, if you are interested in visiting Camden Market, the practices put in place are as follows:
– Floor markers that display social distancing (at least 2 metres)
– Tables and chairs set out in a socially distanced manner
– A strict cleaning regime
– Queuing spots outside shops and directional way-finding arrows
– Security guards who are on hand to help direct, and limit the flow of pedestrian traffic at entrances and ‘attraction’ points (Amy Winehouse statue, Cyberdog etc.)
– Hand-sanitiser stations throughout the Market, available for all visitors to use
– For the foreseeable future, traders will also be expected to adhere to factors in line with Government recommendations, including wearing masks and gloves at all times; limiting the number of customers entering at any one time, maintaining a strict cleaning regime, and accepting card payments only.
What do you think? Join in on social media. For more follow @camdenmarket for more on social media. Find out exactly what food stalls are opening here
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Photo: Camden Market
