Market Closed for 'Urgent Action' to Tackle Pest Issue
Sheffield City Council has closed the Moor Market in the city centre for the weekend after identifying a pest problem in parts of the market, including some food businesses. Richard Eyre, Director of Street Scene and Regulations at Sheffield City Council, stated that the closure began on Friday evening and will continue throughout the weekend as a precautionary measure to protect public health and prevent the issue from spreading.
Precautionary Closure to Allow Deep Cleaning
Although the pest issue was identified in a specific area, the decision was made to close the entire market. Mr Eyre described this as a 'precautionary but necessary step' to coordinate work and enable deep cleaning across all units and areas. He emphasised the urgency due to extreme heat, which can accelerate pest spread, saying: '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.'
Impact on Traders and Reopening Timeline
The closure affects traders, who are cooperating by carrying out voluntary deep cleaning within their own units and storage areas. Mr Eyre thanked them for their support. As of the announcement on June 26, the council could not confirm when the market would reopen. The Moor Market, located on The Moor shopping precinct, houses sellers of fresh produce, organic meat, fruit, vegetables, baked goods, international products, homeware, hand-crafted items, and jewellery. It normally operates Monday to Saturday.
