Minute’s silence is held to remember eight victims of terror attack before bell rings to mark start of trading

London’s historic Borough Market has resumed trading 11 days after three men mounted an attack in and around the market’s bars and restaurants which killed eight people.

Traders were joined by shoppers, police and political figures to observe a minute’s silence for the eight victims of the London Bridge attack on Wednesday morning, before the bell was rung to signal the start of trading at 10am.

Donald Hyslop, chair of trustees of Borough Market, said markets all over the world served to bring people together. “London is open. Borough Market is open,” he said. “This is our market. This is your market. Thank you for being here today and thank you for bringing the summer sunshine with you.”

He said the opening was part of the “healing process” for the community that surrounds the market – which claims to be around 1,000 years old. “It is essential for the wellbeing of everyone associated with Borough Market that we return to at least a semblance of normality as soon as we can,” said Hyslop.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Crowds at Borough Market’s reopening ceremony. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said there were “mixed feelings” at the market. “Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives and were injured,” he said. “There are traders who lost business. Come to Borough Market, buy their things and support these traders.”

The market will operate extended opening times over the next two weeks to help traders recoup some of the money they have lost since the attraction was forced to close. A fund set up to support traders who have suffered financially since the attack on 3 June has raised nearly £83,000.

Maria Moruzzi, who runs a cafe on the edge of the market, said: “I’m so happy that we’re all here to keep going and carry on and to show that no matter what they do we’re still here. There’s always light after darkness.”

She moved to the area as a child, in 1964, and her parents ran a local cafe. She and her sisters used to play in the market as children. For her, it felt as if the attack took place “in my front room”.



Traders recounted how they had been let into the deserted market during the period of closure, under police escort, to inspect and clean their stalls and prepare for re-opening.



“We were allowed in very briefly to check that there wasn’t any major damage and to deal with our stock, and it was very strange, very cold, to come into the empty market,” said Charles Danjou, who runs the French Comte, a cheese stall.



“Today we’re hoping we will have a good Wednesday,” he said, laying out an array of cheeses on the counter.



By lunchtime, the market was packed with customers, takeaway food stalls were doing a brisk trade and the smells of everything from grilled sausages to Turkish coffee were filling the air.



“It will go back to normal,” said Moruzzi. “We’re going to welcome everyone back. We’re here. And we’re going to go forward. Nothing’s going to shut us down.”