London's Borough Market is to re-open tomorrow, 10 days after a terror attack at the landmark took eight lives and injured 48 people as they were out eating and drinking on a Saturday night.
The market will resume trading at 10am on Wednesday, with the occasion marked by the ringing of a bell and a minute's silence.
Encouraging diners and shoppers to support the operators and traders at the market, Borough Market said in a statement that from the moment of re-opening onwards "we will need you more than ever".
The market has been closed since three attackers drove into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing people around the Borough Market area.
A relief fund has since been set up to assist individuals and businesses in and around Borough Market who have suffered financially following the terrorist attack on 3 June.
To mark the re-opening, Arabica Bar & Kitchen - which is located within the market - will be adding a cocktail called ‘London Courage' to the menu (Arabica's Levantine take on a traditional Tom Collins), and on 18 June will launch its informal Sunday music sessions. The restaurant will donate all ticket sales and £1 per London Courage cocktail served to the Borough Market Relief Fund.
To donate to the Borough Market Relief Fund visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bmrelieffund
A statement from Borough Market read: "While the victims of last week's terror attack will never be forgotten, and while the trauma experienced by the Borough Market and wider London community will weigh heavily for a long time to come, it is essentially for the wellbeing of everyone associated with Borough Market that we return to at least a semblance of normality as soon as we can. On Wednesday, the bell will ring, the stalls will open, customers will start to arrive, and the healing process will begin…
"Starting on Wednesday, every person who comes here will be making a difference. At 10am, we will link arms, pause for a moment of silent reflection, then ring the market bell loud and clear. And from that moment onwards we will need you more than ever."
Chair of the Borough Market Trust, Donald Hyslop, said: "An atrocity of this magnitude has many hidden victims. Among these are the independent traders and producers who rely upon Borough Market for their livelihood.
"If any of these traders, whose skill and dedication make the market such a wonderful asset, were to find the viability of their work threatened by this act of violence, the result would be to add a sad injustice to a terrible tragedy. The Borough Market Trust and some of the wider Bankside community, the market's larger businesses have joined together to establish a hardship fund for those traders who are suffering most in these uncertain times. Anyone who wishes to support this fund will find their generosity gratefully received. There was never any doubt in my mind that the market's community would pull together in a crisis, but it is nonetheless humbling to see that solidarity in action."
James Walters, Arabica founder, added: "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the friends and families of the victims and those still fighting for their lives. We need to stay strong, support each other, re-open our doors and allow the healing process to begin. We are going to need London more than ever now so please come and visit us and the rest of our Borough Market community soon."
We're happy to announce that our restaurant & shop will be back in action tomorrow 10am @boroughmarket #loveborough #buisnessasusual pic.twitter.com/dhKfSidIqe
— Brindisa (@Brindisa)
We're happy to announce that our restaurant & shop will be back in action tomorrow 10am @boroughmarket #loveborough #buisnessasusual pic.twitter.com/dhKfSidIqe
— Brindisa (@Brindisa) June 13, 2017
Can't wait to see all of our lovely friends & customers back to show just how much we #LoveBorough and to show support for everyone affected
— Fish! Borough Market (@fishborough)
Can't wait to see all of our lovely friends & customers back to show just how much we #LoveBorough and to show support for everyone affected
— Fish - Borough Market (@fishborough) June 12, 2017
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