Jacky Whites Market stallholder looks forward to reopening

Caroline Whittaker, who owns Jack and Jill Babywear, is getting ready to reopen on Monday, June 15.

The business has been trading online but Caroline is now looking forward to being able to serve loyal customers again in person.

The Echo is running a #SupportLocal campaign urging shoppers to support local traders in challenging times for many retailers.

And Caroline is hoping the market regulars will continue to back the stallholders.

She said: “We have had about 50 of our customers already in touch saying they can’t wait to come back and see us, which is very good news.

“However we know that things are going to be very different and that everyone is going to have to be patient and look at the new rules about how to come in and out of the market.

“For us lockdown has been a very interesting experience because we set the business up online for the very first time and really it was something we should have done years ago.

“A lot of our customers are mothers with new babies and grandparents buying items for their grandchildren, so they may still want to wait a little while before actually coming in to buy from us directly – but they are still able to support the business.

“We are all prepared for opening again on 15 June, we’ve got our masks, aprons and gloves and hand sanitisers and we’re aware of the way shoppers will now be allowed to come in and out of the market.

“I think everyone is just happy to get back to work even if it isn’t in the same way as before.

“Jacky Whites is a really important part of shopping in Sunderland city centre because it’s been there for such a long time, so we hope that customers will just continue to support all of the businesses.”