Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
Vendors removed from GPHC entrance
…to be relocated to nearby parking lot
(Kaieteur News) – Persons who were vending directly in front of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) gates along New Market and East Streets were once again removed on Wednesday and are expected to be relocated to the East Street Parking Lot.
The removal followed an urgent letter sent by the GPHC to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), which was shared by Town Clerk Candace Nelson during an emergency statutory meeting on Monday.
A Vendor stall being removed on New Market Street.
This is not the first time vending activities in the area have been addressed. In 2022, the Ministry of Public Works removed vendors operating along New Market Street between Thomas and East Streets, citing obstruction to the free flow of traffic around the country’s main public healthcare institution. At that time, the ministry stated that violation notices had been issued, giving vendors seven days to vacate the area.
Further action followed in 2024, when attorney Sase R. Gunraj, representing GPHC, issued an ultimatum to the M&CC regarding the continued presence of vendors around the hospital. In correspondence addressed to the Town Clerk, Gunraj warned of impending legal action should the council fail to act.
The hospital, located in North Cummingsburg and bounded by Middle, East, Lamaha and Thomas Streets, with New Market Street running through, had raised concerns that streets, particularly East, New Market and Middle, were heavily encumbered by stationary and itinerant vendors. These vendors operated from makeshift stalls, immobile vehicles, caravans and push carts.
According to the attorney, despite repeated attempts by GPHC to resolve the issue, the M&CC failed to take decisive action. The presence of vendors was said to impede vehicular access to the hospital and obstruct pedestrian pathways, posing risks to patients, visitors and emergency services.
A clear New Market Street near GPHC entrance.
Mayor of Georgetown City Council Alfred Mentore along with councillors and town clerk addressing the vendors.
During Monday’s emergency statutory meeting addressing vending in Georgetown, Town Clerk Candace Nelson informed councillors in the presence of Mayor Alfred Mentore, that she had received a lawyer’s letter from GPHC demanding the removal of all vendors from around the hospital within three days.
“I just received another lawyer’s letter, this time to remove vendors from around Georgetown Public Hospital within three days, or they are going to court for mandamus,” Nelson told the meeting.
Mayor Mentore indicated that further discussions were necessary before a final decision could be taken. As a result, the meeting was suspended until next Monday to allow for continued deliberations on how to address vending across the city.
On Wednesday, Kaieteur News visited New Market and East Streets, and observed that the area, once densely occupied by vendors, had been cleared. Several vendors were seen pushing their carts away from the hospital’s entrance.
Mayor Mentore, accompanied by Councillor Travis Ellis, Town Clerk Nelson and other council staff, visited the site and assured vendors that they would be temporarily relocated while preparations continue at the East Street Parking Lot.
“In keeping with a demand letter seen by the council, vendors who ply their trade around the Georgetown Public Hospital and its environs were today asked to relocate to a nearby lot for about a week, while the Council prepares the East Street Parking Lot,” Mentore said.
The mayor acknowledged that vending in the area posed serious concerns, particularly the obstruction of ambulance access and entry points to the hospital. He noted that compliance was necessary to ensure public safety.
Mentore further disclosed that discussions were held with the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran, along with councillors, the town clerk and key members of GPHC’s administration. An agreement was reached to relocate stalls and unoccupied caravans, allowing space for vendors to be permanently accommodated along the East Street Parking Lot.
“The vendors who operate in the vicinity were very cooperative and supported the position taken by the authorities,” Mentore said.
He warned, however, that if vendors fail to comply with the council’s directives, the administration would be forced to take serious actions.
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