Introduction
Cancellation of a market day is viewed as a last resort. If weather conditions present safety hazards beyond what traders and staff could be reasonably expected to handle the market will be cancelled.
Our foremost concern is the safety of our traders, staff, and shoppers. At all times during operation in extreme weather conditions, safety should be of paramount concern.
The decision to cancel a market day is made after considering the following:
- condition of local area roads
- condition of the market site
- extreme weather forecasted
- ability of staff and traders to travel to the market site
Extreme weather includes wind over 25mph. The BBC website will be used to monitor forecasted weather and wind speeds.
The decision to cancel market trading will be taken by the Market Superintendent in consultation with traders where possible and the Market Superintendents decision will be final. No traders will be permitted to trade in the event of a cancelled market.
Pitch fees will not be payable in the event of cancellation of market trading by the Market Superintendent.
If during any market day the weather takes an unpredicted turn towards bad weather then the Market Superintendent can at their discretion close the market early. If the decision to close the market early is taken, all traders must pack away and leave the site.
Market Cancellation Communications Plan
The decision to close the market will be made 48 hours prior to the scheduled market day if information exists at that time. A last-minute cancellation is possible in the case of unexpected extreme weather or a last minute change to the weather forecast.
Once a decision to cancel a market day has been made, the following steps will be taken to communicate to traders and shoppers:
- all traders will be notified by email with receipt confirmation requested
- traders who have not replied to cancellation notification when there is 24 hours left to go will be followed up by a phone call and/or text message.
- if the market is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, emails will not go out prior to phone calls but text messages will be sent out.
- notice will be posted on the Whitby market Facebook page and repeated as necessary in the 24 hours prior to the cancelled market day.
- notice of cancellation will continue to run on the Facebook page during the course of the cancelled market day 3
Strong Winds
When the projected wind speed is 15mph or higher, we will declare a Strong Wind Advisory. This will require all traders using weights on their stalls.
It is critical that all traders have an appropriate set of weights. Specifically this means a weight of at least 20 pounds on all 4 legs. Options include:
- sandbags
- buckets or solid boxes filled with concrete.
- water / metal weights
- leg bases
f you don’t have appropriate weights on the day of the market, you will be required to trade without the canopy on your stall or you will not be granted permission to trade at all. Pitch fees will still be payable by traders who are unable to trade due to failure to provide weights.
Stall holders are responsible for taking appropriate precautions to protect their goods, and ensuring their stall or goods do not cause damage to a neighbouring stall or members of the public.
In difficult weather situations, we strongly encourage traders to make the best judgement about what you personally need to do.
If traders choose not to attend to trade on a market trading day due to inclement weather, notification must be given to the Market Superintendent. Please contact us. (ADD LINK)
Pitch fees will still be payable under these circumstances.