Farm Gate Market back after Easter following closure fears

After a hiatus over Easter and uncertainty over its future, Hobart’s Farm Gate Market will return on Sunday.

Hobart’s Farm Gate Market on April 5. Picture CHRIS KIDD

FARM Gate Market will be back in action on Sunday`.

With uncertainty surrounding the market’s future in recent weeks, organisers took to Facebook to show their excitement to be back, but encouraged customers to begin heading out to the market solo.

“Help us out this week by shopping solo at the Market. Numbers onsite are limited, and our staff will be monitoring queues at each entrance,” they said.

A few weeks ago the market’s future was looking bleak when Premier Peter Gutwein aired concerns over social distancing and hygiene at the market and said he was prepared to shut the market down.

However, following backlash from stallholders and the Hobart City Council, Mr Gutwein reconsidered the closure.

“Any proposed way forward would need to ensure that stringent social distancing measures and customer hygiene practices are actively managed and overseen by the Hobart City Council from their own resources,” he said.

The market will continue to have measures in place such as compulsory hand washing stations and hand sanitiser and crosses on the ground to ensure social distancing.

“You're awesome, Hobart. Thanks for keeping our market safe and healthy,” organisers said.