Latest update March 29th, 2025 5:38 AM
Illegal vending takes on new face in Georgetown
– Fire Service, M&CC voice concerns
Georgetown is fast becoming plagued with a frightening dilemma which could have far-reaching implications if intervening moves are not introduced soon. In fact, so disturbing is the state of affairs that it has gained the attention of Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, who has not only vocalised his concerns, but has made the decision to amplify the need to address the situation.
Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle
According to Gentle, “what we are seeing now is a situation where people are looking to make a store outside of a store.” This, he explained, is not only a recipe for congestion but also one that could considerably hinder the work of the fire service, should a fire erupt at a store.
The situation that obtains in sections of downtown Georgetown is not only the age-old practice of illegal vending along the city pavements, but a new phenomenon which is one where vendors position themselves in passages alongside stores and in some instances almost in alleyways.
There have been reports that the illegal vendors are granted permission by store owners to operate in the constricted spaces and there are others who presumptuously position themselves much to the displeasure of the legal businesses.
Concerns have been particularly raised by owners of music establishments which specialise in the sale of Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital Video Discs (DVDs). There are reports that the “outdoor” vendors’ practice has in fact allowed for unfair competition, since it is believed that they are able to attract customers easier and even sell at a cheaper rate.
This publication was reliably informed that some of the illegal vendors are able to mass produce, CDs for instance, that were customised by the established businesses. There are even some vendors of clothing and other items who opt to utilise the spaces.
According to the Fire Chief, “the whole thing is that most of these (business) lots are very narrow and these vendors are looking to do business and put their goods in these narrow spaces.”
Gentle emphasised the fact, too, that because of the novel vending strategy, there is now no separation between buildings in some sections of commercial activities in Georgetown.
Royston King, M&CC Public Relations Officer
The practice is primarily evident along Regent Street, and according to Gentle, “there is literally no room to manoeuvre if we have to go and fight a fire…”
The glaring dilemma was only last Friday observed by the Fire Chief who revealed that he immediately saw the need for it to be addressed.
“We have noted it and today (Friday) we are in the process of sending off a letter to the agency concern to correct that anomaly…This is a town planning issue and it has inherent implications for fires in it,” a very concerned Gentle asserted.
“I can’t wait and say this is not my responsibility…I am bringing it to the attention of the responsible agency, because we need them to curtail it…We are taking whatever action we could at this level,” the Fire Chief noted.
However, there are moves apace at the level of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to have the situation urgently addressed.
This is according to the City Council’s Public Relations Officer, Royston King, who disclosed that the vending scenario was only last week brought to the attention of Council officials. “We got reports that there were vendors operating along Regent Street in passageways, between stores, and in some cases almost out of alleyways,” King informed.
Moreover, he said that a team from the City Council, including himself, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, who was at the time acting in the capacity of Mayor, and Chairman of the Public Health and Markets Committee, Ranwell Jordan, had assessed the state of affairs.
And according to King, “we find this situation to be extremely serious…it not only poses an inconvenience to store owners, but we see it as a fire hazard.”
Vending along Regent Street. To the immediate left is a shaded passageway being used to sell CDs and DVDs.
For this reason, King said that the illegal vendors were issued with a warning to desist from the practice.
And in light of the fact that adherence has not been optimum, the matter, according to the Public Relations Officer, is likely to be brought up for discussion tomorrow, when the Council hosts its statutory meeting.
Another matter that needs addressing, King said, is the fact that some stores in the city are poorly ventilated which is a threat to occupational, health and safety, and even has the potential of causing the condition of certain goods to become depreciated.
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