Roadside barbers, cosmetologist temporarily relocated to Merriman Mall

May 15, 2016 News

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A significant number of roadside city barbers and cosmetologists have been temporarily relocated to a new space at the Merriman Mall. A section of the Mall situated at Bourda, Georgetown, has been decorated with tents

to accommodate some 60 roadside barbers and street cosmetologists, who once occupied pavements along Croal, America, Longden and Regent streets. The move was initiated by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.
According to Town Clerk Royston King the area will be fitted with the necessary facilities to assist the roadside workers with their trade. He said that soon the area will be fitted with running water, electricity and toilet facilities.
King said that while the facility which was set up free of cost to the operators, each person is required to pay a fee of $1,000 per week for cleaning and maintenance of the area.
King was on site when Kaieteur News visited the location yesterday. He said that the idea is to raise the standard for grooming operators to offer their services and earn a living in a more organized, excellent manner which can be beneficial to them and the city as well.
The Town clerk explained that the workers were taken from along the streets and relocated to the Merriman Mall which is much beneficial for them and in keeping with the public health laws.

“We have about 52 cosmetologists and 17 barbers who will be occupying this area. And while we want to clear the city of any congestion, insanitary and illegal activity, it is also important that we put a human face to it as well. Therefore we are not just removing the illegal operators; we are also providing areas for these persons to continue to ply their trade in an orderly fashion,” said King.
Yesterday was the second day of the move for the city barbers and cosmetologists. Many persons appeared to be settling into the new location while quite a few were already offering services. Several of the grooming operators noted that the Merriman Mall location was cleaner, fresher and more comfortable for their customers.
Natasha Les Prance, a roadside nail technician for some 15 years noted the benefits of the new arrangements are many. And this she linked to the fact that the operation there will be regulated.
In a statement issued by City Hall it was revealed that King, during the past week, met with the cosmetologists and barbers who ply their trade along the city streets, to address temporary relocating them. This was in light of the fact that Council had moved to address encumbrances on its parapet and reserves, which resulted in vendors and other persons who ply their trades in the Stabroek Square and nearby locations being relocated.
The Town Clerk said that it is important that cosmetologists and barbers ply their trade in an environment that does not compromise the Laws of the City and the health of other citizens. He told the operators too that “I understand that everyone has to earn a living but at the same time it must be done within the confines of the Law.” According to King, cosmetologists and barbers should not operate in close proximity to food service providers. He reiterated that the Council is not trying to move anyone from the hub of economic activities, but the city is very congested. “Blocking the entrances to private premises and cutting hair on the streets is a health situation” King had pointed out.
It was against this background, he said that he identified a section on the Merriman Mall for the barbers and cosmetologists to do their work. According to him, the area would be equipped with light, water, refuse collection and security services. Also, the cosmetologists and barbers would have to work under strict supervision of the Public Health Inspectors and the City Constabulary Department.
The Georgetown Municipality had expressed serious concern with the operations of roadside barbers and cosmetologists. From a Public Health perspective the operation is unsafe. In addition, it is a contravention of the Municipal and District Council (Act 28:01). Part II Provisions Relating to Barbers’ Shop: states that no person shall act as a barber in or upon any public street or way or at any place within public view other than at a duly registered barber’s shop.”
Before a barber can commence operations he must be registered with the Mayor and City Council. The registration process includes a medical examination by the Council’s Medical Officer of Health, who will provide a medical certificate to the applicant deeming the applicant fit to carry out such an operation.
And according to the Town Clerk, “I urge you to carry out your work within the ambit of the law.”

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