A POPULAR farmers’ market will return to Haddington tomorrow (Saturday).

The organisers of the monthly Court Street market have been working with East Lothian Council and other organisations to ensure the event can return.

Steps have been taken to ensure public safety, with the creation of a one-way system, as well as the enforcement of social distancing.

Hand sanitising stations will also be introduced at Haddington Farmers’ Market.

Peter McLaren, of Ballencrieff Pork, was looking forward to welcoming customers back to the market but stressed there would be changes. He said: “People are now used to having to queue to enter shops and queuing may be necessary.

“We apologise in advance if people have to wait to gain entry, but I’m sure they will understand.

“I never thought we’d have to ask shoppers not to hang around and chat to friends or stallholders, but in order to keep people moving, that is what we will have to do on Saturday.”

Visitors to the market will enter beside the Corn Exchange before heading towards Brewery Lane.

The visitors will then turn round and visit the other stalls before leaving through a signed exit beside the Corn Exchange.

Val Shields, chairman of Haddington Farmers’ Market, said: “In conjunction with East Lothian Council, we have produced a layout plan for the market.

“A copy is available on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

“The market will have ‘no entry’ tape around the perimeter and there will be one entrance and one exit at the Corn Exchange end.

“Haddington Rotary have very kindly offered to help with stewarding – this is to ensure that visitors maintain social distancing.

“When the market reaches capacity numbers, the steward at the entrance will limit entry and then operate a ‘one in, one out’ system.”

A larger market is also being planned for the end of the month, with the market traditionally taking place from 9am to 1pm on the last Saturday of the month.

Val added: “After all those months, we are looking forward to welcoming back our customers.

“We just ask everybody to please bear with us and also remind people that the rest of the shops in Haddington are also open for business. Like the market, most of these small businesses have been closed for months and welcome people to reignite the local economy by spending locally.”