New market layout branded a success by Galway City Council

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – St Nicholas’ Market will proceed again tomorrow (Saturday) with the same reconfigured layout as last weekend – with the City Council satisfied that moving hot food vendors to St Pat’s National School had overcome concerns over social distancing.

The market’s return following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions two weeks ago had been mired in controversy after Gardaí instructed the Council to shut it down early, citing concerns that the required two metres of physical distancing between customers was not being adhered to.

However, following extensive consultations between traders and the City Council – which operates the market – a new layout was implemented last weekend on a trial basis.

A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed that all parties were satisfied to proceed with the same layout this weekend.

“The market is going to go ahead this weekend again, with the same principles as last weekend. The Environment Department have been carrying out a review this week and they are happy with how it worked out – the one-way system and the car park,” said the spokesperson.

To assist with physical distancing last weekend, a single-entry point was used from Shop Street, with customers working their way down along a limited number of stalls along Churchyard Street to in front of the church and up Market Street.
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