Bury St Edmunds Whitsun Market: Town gears up for first outdoor event since lifting of lockdown restrictions

Organisers of the first outdoor event in Bury St Edmunds town centre since the easing of lockdown say there will be strict measures in place to ensure it is as Covid safe as possible.

A scaled-down Whitsun Market, arranged by Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District this bank holiday weekend, is the first in a phased return of major outdoor events in the town centre.

The market, on Sunday and Monday from 10am to 4pm, is usually part of the larger Whitsun Fayre.

Craft, flower and food stalls will take centre stage on Angel Hill, where a one-way system will operate, as well as in the Cornhill and Buttermarket areas of the town, where some local businesses will have stalls.

Fairground rides will also be on offer for children to enjoy including a carousel in Charter Square.

Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds, said: “As events start to open up to increased numbers we have taken the decision to scale down our first one since lockdown from what it has offered in previous years, as any responsible organisation would do.

"We’ve got a comprehensive risk assessment in place but are confident that visitors will still enjoy this free-admission day out.

"It will give us a strong base on which to build the Motorsports East day in July and the Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival in August in line with the guidance and scientific evidence in place about coronavirus at that time.

"Many shops and businesses will also be open this bank holiday and hopefully visitors will make the most of everything the town centre offers.”

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