Market traders made a welcome return to Sandbach town hall today (15 April) for the first time this year as part of the Government's lockdown easing.

A good dose of spring sunshine helped get the shoppers out to the market, with traders saying they've seen customers that haven't come out since before the first lockdown.

Jenny Duncan, who runs Twinkle Textiles at the market, told Sandbach Nub News: "It was a bit slow to start with, but as the day went on, more people started to come through. We've had people in we haven't seen for a while and people just seemed happy to be out."

"I think compared to coming back last time after the first lockdown, people do have more confidence having had the vaccine. You can hear them saying, 'I've had my second one'. So yes, it has definitely helped."

Julie Shannon, who has run WJS Collectibles at the market for 21 years, was pleased to see her loyal customers once again.

She said: "I wasn't really looking forward to today, thinking 'is there any point, will people come out?' But people have been chomping at the bit to come out. The weather helps as well, of course."

Julie added: "It's been busy at times and we've had a nice steady flow of customers all day."

As well as seeing their customers, stallholders were also pleased to see their fellow traders for the first time in months.

Michelle Cooke, who runs The Gardeners Curiosity Shop, told Nub News: "Everybody in the market has missed each other. We've all been so happy to see each other and catch up.

"You can kind of forget that there are good people out there. Personally, I became quite insular with my family during the lockdown, so this has been good for me."

John Ward, a jeweller who runs the Wards of Sandbach stall, described the Sandbach Market as the "jewel of the town".

He is lobbying the town council to extend the number of days of the week the market operates- currently, market days are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

"This is a great venue and it's shut more times than it's open in a week, and they've spent a fortune on it. Why is that?" John said.

For further information on the Sandbach Market, visit the town council website.