Stallholders shared the image of the deserted Castleford Indoor Market and expressed their disappointment.

The group said there had not been “a soul in sight” on Tuesday, April 27, despite shops being able to reopen from April 12.

They added that they had reopened with “excitement and high hopes” but were left “devastated” by the lack of customers.

In the original post, the team said: “Well what can we say?

“Not a soul in sight this afternoon at 2.30pm. It has been like this all day today.

“Your local independent businesses need your support.

“This reopening after the third lockdown has been the toughest yet.

“We were all prepared with new stock, excitement and high hopes.

“It has been devastating.

“Use us or lose us.”

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Speaking to the , Peter Rodgers, from Dolly Daydreams Sweet Shop, said: “The main purpose of the photo was to highlight the impact lockdown has caused to small independent businesses.

“It in no way to take away anything from the people that have lost their jobs or family members as it doesn’t compare. I

“t just seems people are queuing outside Primark in droves and big stores are pack.. sadly no-one is coming back to the little independents.

“It’s our livelihoods.”

Shoppers flocked to high streets and drinkers downed pints as coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England on April 12.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to “behave responsibly” as life took another step back towards normality, with indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos also welcoming customers back.

Despite the relaxation in lockdown rules, social mixing indoors will remain heavily restricted, with around two in five adults yet to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and the vast majority yet to get both.

Mr Johnson said: “I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘Hands, face, space and fresh air’ to suppress Covid as we push on with our vaccination programme.”