"IRRESPONSIBLE" was a word commonly used to describe the decision for Salisbury Charter Market to run today, as Journal readers took to social media to voice their concerns.

It was confirmed to the Journal on Thursday, by Salisbury city councillor Jo Broom, that an email had circulated to councillors outlining plans for the market to return this weekend, despite being put on hold because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The decision was swiftly withdrawn by Salisbury City Council however, the body responsible for the market, and as a result the market is not on today.

Following the previous news that the market was to go ahead, with policing and social distancing measures in place, Journal readers expressed a variety of reactions online.

One Facebook user said: "A weekend of sunshine when numbers outside are already going to be higher than they should be and then they pull this out of the bag.

"Surely, without being able to put social distancing measures in place like the supermarkets have, this will be classed as a mass gathering and can be reported to the authorities?"

Another one posted: "Irresponsible! Encourages people to go out and goes against government guidelines. How will they manage social distancing?

"How many traders use card readers, when we are told not to use CASH!! Are the council offering FREE pitches to help these small local businesses? It’s madness!!!!"

And another user said: "Has the council not learned anything from this? All they're probably thinking is getting money in from traders and not about peoples' health.

"It should be cancelled until further notice, really irresponsible by the council."

Despite a majority view hitting out at the decision, some readers supported the alleged return of the event.

One Facebook user said: "I’d rather shop there than an indoor supermarket. It’ll be spaced out and policed. I really don’t see why people are complaining."

And another one said: "Not sure what the difference is between this and going to a supermarket. I would prefer to stay in the open air and buy my food."

As previously reported, at around 12.30pm on Thursday a second email was sent to councillors, detailing that the Charter Market would in fact not be running.

Cllr Atiqul Hoque also took to Facebook with his views on the matter, responding to some of the already posted negative comments.

Part of his response said: "After risk assessment we felt [the Charter Market] will be difficult and costly, so it didn’t go any further.

"[Salisbury City Council] officers are very wary about the risk involved and wouldn’t do anything which will go against government guidelines and jeopardise public safety.

"Finally if that was to go ahead it was going to be FREE for all vendors."

The council is now keeping the market under constant review, and aims to re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.