See below James Grundy MP's letter to Wigan Council, urging them to reopen Leigh Market in accordance with Government guidance.
"Dear Alison,
I write to you further to my previous correspondence regarding the closure of essential food stalls at Leigh Market.
As you will be aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the Government taking unprecedented measures to keep people safe, including encouraging people to stay at home as much as possible and taking the decision to close all non-essential businesses, which will help protect our NHS and save lives.
In response to these measures, we have seen an influx in panic buying at supermarkets and as a result a lack of key food items, such as bread, meat and other fresh produce. We have also seen a significant increase in the number of people visiting supermarkets, with bosses making every effort to enforce social distancing measures in their stores and limit the number of items people can purchase.
In your previous letter, you outlined that Leigh Market, including its food stalls, must remain closed in accordance to this Government guidance. The guidance, however, states clearly that businesses offering an essential service such as fresh food, should remain open. I have attached a copy of this guidance for your attention, which is unambiguous on this matter.
Food stalls at both Bolton and Bury markets remain open and fully accessible to the public, which has also enabled food stalls to use the market as a hub to offer vital delivery services for elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
The decision to close Leigh Market in its entirety not only prevents food stallholders access to continue their fresh goods delivery services, it also forces people, especially those who are vulnerable or elderly, to shop in overcrowded and under-pressure supermarkets where the virus is more likely to be spread and where stock is limited.
Therefore, in accordance with Government guidance, I ask that you reopen Leigh Market, for access to both food stallholders and the public as a matter of urgency.
Yours sincerely,
James Grundy
Member of Parliament for Leigh"