On June 1, London’s outdoor markets were allowed to begin trading again.
Though the shops have been reopen almost a month now, nowhere draws Londoners in their plenty quite like an outdoor market. The capital’s outdoor markets have been allowed to trade since June 1, and whilst many took the chance to return swiftly, some have made a more tentative return to trading. With that in mind, we’ve checked on the status of as many outdoor markets as we can to see which ones have reopened, which ones are returning, and which ones haven’t announced yet. [Featured image: @greatbritishfood]
Camden Market
Status: Open
One of the seven urban wonders of the world, Camden Market made one of the earlier returns to the game. It is making use of a one-way system, floor markings, and hand sanitiser stations, and will prevent crowds from gathering at tourist attractions like the Amy Winehouse statue to keep people safe. Not all the traders have reopened yet, but plenty of street food stalls are open for collection and delivery. You can read more here.
Maltby Street Market
Status: Open
One of our very favourite outdoor markets in London, Maltby Street Market is back with a slightly different look. Like Camden Market, they’ll be using a one-way system to ensure social distancing, and street food traders are making a slow, distanced return to the market. The market’s permanent residents will be selling produce from the railway arches, and opening hours are 8am-3pm on Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday.
Borough Market
Status: Open
Borough Market has been partially open throughout lockdown, as it’s been supplying fresh produce to local residents. You can’t get the full complement of street food or sit about and watch the world go by just yet, but some hot food and coffee is available to take away.
Mercato Metropolitano
Status: Open
London’s popular Italian food halls—found in Mayfair and Elephant & Castle—are back with their brilliant street food offerings Wednesday through till Sunday, for takeaway and deliveries only. Meanwhile, MM Grocery will continue to stay open throughout the week. Hand sanitisers will be out in both venues and social-distancing measures will apply. Pizzas, burgers and a whole host of vegan options are all available, so make a trip for a small slice of normality.
Brixton Market
Status: Open
Essential shops selling fresh produce and food supplies have been allowed to trade in Brixton Market for weeks now, but many of the remaining shops returned in mid-June, including homeware and fashion outlets.
Greenwich Market
Status: Open
Only a small part of Greenwich Market has returned – the open-air section which branches off of the cul-de-sac Durnford Street – but it’s filled with street food traders offering hot and cold food to take away, so you can wrap your jaws around that. Read all about it here.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Status: Open
Sunday pilgrimages to this fabulous flower market are back! Tower Hamlets had staggered the return of their markets, with less-popular markets such as Whitechapel Market opening first, but Columbia Road Flower Market was able to join them on the first weekend of July. To keep people safe, the number of visitors at any one time has been strictly capped, and more of the surrounding roads have been closed. Find out more here.
Victoria Park Market
Status: Open
One of east London’s favourite markets returned last weekend (another that Tower Hamlets held back for a time), complete with new safety procedures. They’re asking that people don’t come from too far away to visit the market, and will also use distanced stalls, a one-way system, and a reduced number of traders to ensure safety. There’s also good news about a sister market…
Lloyd Park Market
Status: Open
Yes indeed, the Walthamstow relative of Victoria Park Market is back trading, although it has moved to the front lawn of the William Morris Gallery to allow for socially-distanced shopping. Check out their ‘Street Food Sundays’ for munchable wanders, and coffee and ice cream will also be on hand.
Venn Street Market
Status: Open
The crafty Clapham market has actually been trading since early May, as it was shifting essential produce only. They’ve got new opening hours of 10am-3pm (it’s a Saturdays-only market), but the recent return of Electric Beans’ coffee van and M. Moen & Sons hog roast has things slowly beginning to turn towards normality.
Spitalfields Market
Status: Open
Technically a covered market rather than an outdoor one, but Spitalfields Market is also back in business. Expect perspex-screened stalls and plenty of hand sanitiser when it reopens, with Leon and Brother Marcus sorting the takeaway food. More info here.
Flea Vintage Market
Status: Open
On Saturdays, you can wander down to London Bridge’s Vinegar Yard to refresh your wardrobe, as Flea is back trading. With Vinegar Yard itself back (with two huge new bars thrown in for good measure), London Bridge is once again a spot you need to be making a beeline for. Read more here.
Broadway Market
Status: Closed
We could be waiting quite a while for the return of this one, as the website says the market “will not open in July”. Presumably, that means we won’t be seeing Broadway Market’s Saturday trading jamboree until August, then. Learn all about Broadway Market here in the meantime.
Canopy Market
Status: Reopening July 10
Kings Cross has hosted this lovely covered market since 2017, and it’s primed for a return this weekend. However, since the usual site is being usual as a car park for key workers in the area, it’s upping sticks and moving across Granary Square to Coal Drops Yard for the summer. You can read all about it here.
Brick Lane Market
Status: Closed
Another Tower Hamlets market being held back, a return to the vintage clothing and street food paradise that is Brick Lane is likely at least another weekend away.
We’ll keep you updated on any more openings we hear of – and with the summer starting to begin in earnest, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that wandering lazily through the stalls, street food in hand, becomes a reality very soon.