Traders at Pontefract's Magistrates Market prepare to return to business

Built in 1807, the Magistrates Court closed its doors in 2010, before reopening as an antiques centre and cafe last year.

And traders at the market are now busy preparing to return to work as artists, vintage shopkeepers, antiques dealers and more.

Liz Evans has run the popular Coffee at the Court cafe with her sister Jane Fisher since March of last year.

She said: “We specialise in homemade rustic lunches and homemade cakes, and we also do coffees and drinks.

“What we’re doing now is preparing and a lot of research on what we’re allowed to do.

“We’re really eager to get back and we are going to be doing what every other business is, following strict rules around social distancing.

“It really is a lovely place and it’s all based on individual sellers having their own business. It’s just amazing.”

Pontefract Magistrates Market will reopen on Monday, June 1.

At this difficult time, our independent businesses need our support more than ever.

As she prepares to reopen her cafe to customers for the first time in two months, Liz said she was facing new costs and a string of unclear decisions.

“We’ve got initial expenses that are all adding to the uncertainty,” she said. “We’ve got to have a big perspex screen all the way along the counter.

“The guidance is changing every day.”

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