A city centre market has been closed down to urgently tackle a pest problem, the local council announced. Moor Market in Sheffield was closed on Friday evening and will remain shut over the weekend, a local official said.
Richard Eyre, Director of Street Scene and Regulations at Sheffield City Council, said in a statement: “Moor Market will be closed from this evening and throughout the weekend following the identification of a pest issue affecting parts of the market, including some food businesses. The Council has taken the decision to close the market immediately so that urgent action can be taken to protect public health and stop the issue from spreading further.”
The issue, he added, was identified in specific area, but the full closure was described as a “precautionary but necessary step” to allow for a coordinated work and deep cleaning across all units and areas.
Mr Eyre added: “Acting quickly is particularly important given the current period of extreme heat due to unprecedented weather, which creates conditions where pests can spread more rapidly. Taking decisive action now is the most effective way to contain the issue and protect both businesses and the public.”
He also acknowledged the impact this closure will have on traders, thanking them for their cooperation and support, as thy are carrying out voluntary deep cleaning within their own units and storage areas.
The local official was not immediately able to confirm when the market would reopen in the statement issued on June 26.
Housed in a modern building on The Moor shopping precinct in Sheffield, the market is home to a host of sellers of fresh produce, including organic meat, fruit, vegetables and baked goods, as well as products from countries around the world.
The market also see traders selling homeware, hand-crafted items and jewellery among other items.
It is normally open Monday to Saturday.