Leeds Kirkgate Market stallholder says Covid lockdown has hit them 'like a tonne of bricks'

Damian Warner, who runs Steve's Fruit and Veg, said the market was so quiet that the few traders left had been forced to shout out to potential passing customers to come to their stalls.

Damian, who works in the outdoor market, said: "Because we're in the city centre, no one's got an excuse to come here - there's no passing trade.

"Indoors and outdoors, we're all in the same boat.

"The second we see people coming outside we're all shouting to get their attention."

Damian, 50, has been working at the market all his life, but has never seen anything like the situation which has been going on for almost a year.

He added: "In the first lockdown there was a bit of a panic buying for the first two weeks and after that it just dropped - it was like a ghost town.

"It picked up a bit after the first lockdown, but then in November we didn't really get that run up to Christmas.

"After Christmas is usually quiet but this has hit us like a tonne of bricks.

"You can be the best opera singer in the world, but if there's no audience, it's a bit pointless."

The trader, who communicates with customers via the Facebook page Leeds Outdoor Market Fruit & Veg Delivery, posted an update on the situation at the end of last year.

It read: "Lonely, I'm Mr Lonely. We have nobody at our stall."

"We’re feeling a little sad and lonely at the stall today.

"Please think of us if you need to go shopping.

"We are on the outdoor market Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

"You can also get all your meat, fish, bread etc on the indoor market while you're here.

"We are the original supermarket."

Damian said times were still tough at Kirkgate, but encouraged customers wary of the possibility of catching Covid in a big supermarket to come down.

"We're outside and everyone's social distancing anyway as there are only really two customers at a stall," he said.

"It's all laid out ready in one place for them and they don't have to worry about feeling unsafe."

Stallholders got word earlier this month of a rent freeze for January and February granted by Leeds City Council, which Damian described as a "saving grace".

"It's a massive help - without that we would have really been struggling," he added.

He's kept the stall open as he feels a duty to keep supplying his regulars, but hopes things will start to improve by March.

He added: "Hopefully then we can get back to how it's meant to be - the hustle and bustle, with everyone singing and happy."

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.