Borough Market, London’s world-renowned historic food market, is remaining open for business – selling essential supplies of fresh produce and store cupboard ingredients for those working and living in the local community.  It has now completely closed all restaurants and its hot food provision area, The Borough Market Kitchen, to focus purely on produce provision.  The Green Market area will also be closed, so that all traders are in the Three Crown Square area to avoid shoppers spending unnecessary amounts of time at the Market.

All stalls are being repositioned to allow at least 2 metres between them, and the ground will be marked out with 2 metre distancing for the public, along with clear signage on the importance of shoppers remaining apart.  

Borough Market will be closely monitoring numbers, and if a stall gets too busy people will be asked to come back when less crowded.  Customers are encouraged to pay with card, rather than cash, and reusable coffee cups and containers will no longer be accepted during this period.

In addition to usual extensive cleaning practices, particular attention will be taken to ensure all touch points are wiped thoroughly and regularly with disinfectant.

Kate Howell, Development Director, Borough Market said: “Our message is clear – we have responded to the Covid-19 outbreak by changing our nature.  Our priority is to keep the local community safe whilst providing much needed supplies for people and supporting our traders – who are all small, independent businesses.  There is no lingering, no socialising, our restaurants are all closed and our hot food area, Borough Market Kitchen has also now closed.  We are no longer a place to travel to and visit as we must all avoid unnecessary movement across London. But if you live near the Market or are still required to come to work in the vicinity, think of us as your alternative open air supermarket, well stocked with fresh produce and other essential foods.”

Borough Market remains open from Monday to Saturday, with the usual trading hours. 

As part of its service to the wider community, Borough Market is also hosting a Community Facebook Group where those at home looking for culinary inspiration can access hundreds of free online recipes – many using store cupboard staples, and swap tips.

Live cooking demos and cook-alongs from a range of chefs are hosted on Borough Market’s Instagram Live:

23-Mar: Lisa Fearn – simple doughs to make with children

24-Mar: Jenny Chandler – Dhal recipes

25-Mar: TBC

26-Mar: Tim Maddams – cooking on a budget

27-Mar: Clare Finney – drinks

Borough Market’s delivery and collection service, Borough Market Online, offers an alternative way for customers to access Market produce. The option of a doorstep drop service allows it to be received without contact with couriers.