WATCH: Unease among Wolverhampton Market traders amid coronavirus uncertainty

Shoppers were still making their way between stalls at Wolverhampton Market yesterday with many traders remaining busy.

But others have seen a fall in trade as uncertainty over gatherings in public places continues to reign.

It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs, restaurants and leisure centres across the country to close among others last night.

WATCH: Market traders give their views

Traders in Wolverhampton have had a mixed response to the coronavirus – with some reporting a boost in sales, and others struggling.

Stallholders selling fresh fruit and vegetables, along with meat, have seen floods of people visit.

But others – such as people selling fabric or plants – have seen their trade drop massively.

Jasminder Grewal, who runs a stall selling fabric, said: "It's very very quiet – most people around here are very busy, but for me it's quiet.

"Food stalls and others are busy – it's never been like this.

"The market is going very well but the fact is there, people are not coming out."

People lined the pathways of the market – but were mainly focusing on food stalls, buying fruit.

Richard Latham, who runs Latham's fruit stall, said the market was bustling.

He said: "It's gone crazy – it's busier than ever.

"We've had people sending relatives like their grandsons down and they're coming out fast and furious.

"It's important food and people need it – and they're fed up of the fights in Asda and we're out here in the fresh air, too.

"We're outdoors so there's less risk."

Eric Quinton, who runs a butchers stall, said trade had increased – but his profits were down.

He said: "Trade has picked but but we're earning less money, because they've put the price of meat up.

"The country was really bad prepared – they knew two weeks in advance because of what was happening in China.

"We're working hard and earning less and less because there's a shortage of meat – you speak to suppliers and they are struggling to get the meat in.

"We don't know what we will be able to sell next week – it's really bad.

"If you put the prices up people will think you're exploiting them so we have to take that on.

"You can't pass the charge onto the customers."

Mark Andrew, who sells plants on his stall, said it had been difficult – despite it being the best time of the season for him.

He said: "It's quiet for me but for other traders it's pretty good.

"It's because they are panic-buying and it's because of the virus.

"I've sold one or two plants but people are after food mainly. Summertime is busy for me but we'll just have to see how it goes and what happens next."

Majida Akhtar, who sells hi-vis jackets and other pieces of clothing, said: "It's very difficult – you get nothing, just people buying food.

"It's very quiet at the moment and usually I'm very busy with Mother's Day but I've only sold one item – a cardigan – so far."