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Street vendors around Stabroek Market again in council’s focus
In light of the opening of the New Stelling View Mall, Stabroek, the removal of street vendors from in front the Stabroek Market is inevitable. The intentions are to prevent unfair competition, foster the prosperity of stallholders, and expand the revenue of the Mayor and City Council.
“We will have to eventually organize the removal of all vendors in front of the Stabroek Market area. The Municipality will have to continue efforts in finding alternative accommodation, because we do not want to put people out of bread,” Clerk of Markets, Schulder Griffith, stated.
He noted that the construction of the facility was through the cooperation of stallholders, the Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development, and Public Works and Communications, as well as private developers and the Council.
“When the idea was put to take spots in the Mall… persons always resent being taken from streets to some area that they do not view as being prime. Many of them (street vendors) did not take up the challenge,” Griffith added.
He stressed that some of the stallholders are still conducting their street vending activities and this will have to stop since the road has to be cleared.
The new facility houses 60 stalls and is expected to generate $3.2M annually. The rental attached to the stalls is $40 per square foot which is the fee attached to other facilities of its kind. Those occupying the prime locations (front spots) are charged a percentage more than the other stallholders.
Griffith noted that the fee being charged is to offset expenses incurred. However, as the facility develops the rent will increase. This will require the registered tenants having full access to consumers.
“Years ago when vendors were operating where the New Stelling View Mall is located, they were striving for the first months, but when vendors were allowed to go back on the road, without being removed, that created unfair competition for market stallholders. Some of those stallholders eventually had to leave that the facility,” he related.
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