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Coronavirus: Instagram move for Ruddington Village Market
Image copyright Ruddington Village Centre Partnership Image caption Phoenix Flowers took part in the virtual market (florist Shelley Raisin pictured when the market was open) Villagers missing their monthly market took it online with live pub tours, bouquet demonstrations and tips on cutting your own hair.Ruddington Village Market, in Nottinghamshire, broadcast live on Instagram earlier.Organiser…

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Ruddington Village Centre Partnership
Phoenix Flowers took part in the virtual market (florist Shelley Raisin pictured when the market was open)
Villagers missing their monthly market took it online with live pub tours, bouquet demonstrations and tips on cutting your own hair.
Ruddington Village Market, in Nottinghamshire, broadcast live on Instagram earlier.
Organiser Mark Pinks said the 10-minute slots for demonstrations from nine businesses was a “great success”.
Business owner Alex Preston said it would help sellers keep in touch with customers.
The market was hosted by Mr Pinks, who invited traders to join him on Instagram live between 12:00 and 14:30 BST.
He said: “We were thinking what can we do to help market stalls and shops struggling with limited trading ability.”
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Graham Wright
Alex Preston and her husband Anthony run The Bottle Top in Ruddington
Mr Pinks, who is part of the Ruddington Village Centre Partnership which organises the markets, said: “A pub which has moved to takeaway showed us the beer cellar and behind the bar, and a cafe deli demonstrated how to make scotch eggs.”
He said as well as promoting stall-holders’ products, many of which were trading online or over the phone, “it is an interesting way to see how things work”.
And for businesses not able to trade, it was about helping them “keep on the radar”.
He added he hopes to “do it again if the lockdown remains” on 6 June.
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Ruddington Village Centre Partnership
Black Cat Cafe demonstrated how to make scotch eggs
Mrs Preston, owner of The Bottle Top in Ruddington which sells food, craft beer and spirits, said: “A lot of people are missing the market, and obviously it is affecting trade.
“It is about keeping the local economy going, supporting traders, and getting supplies out to local people.”
Jen Walker, who runs The Split Screen Coffee Company and brings her coffee van to the market every month, said: “As someone who runs a small business, it is amazing.”
She demonstrated how to make coffee and did barista-style art during the virtual market.
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Tom Barnes
Jen Walker said it was a “creative way of letting everyone know we are still around”
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