Latest update January 13th, 2026 12:59 AM
Vendors return outside Yhip’s Bakery despite court order
Photo showing the day the stalls were dismantled infront Yhip’s Bakery
Photo showing vendors returning in front of the private property on Monday.
Kaieteur News – Vendors who previously operated in front of Yhip’s Bakery at the corner of Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown, have returned to the area despite a High Court order prohibiting vending at the location.
On January 4, 2026, at least 15 vendors were left distressed after their stalls were dismantled following a final notice to vacate the private property. The action was taken in compliance with a High Court order issued in late 2025, which prohibited vending in front of the building after vendors were found to be blocking its entrance.
The affected vendors, many of whom are women with children, had occupied the parapet space in front of the building for several years. Approximately two weeks prior to the dismantling of the stalls, they were ordered by the court to vacate the entryway. Several vendors said they were uncertain about where to relocate and remained at the site until their stalls were removed.
In a previous interview with Kaieteur News, Mayor of the City Council Alfred Mentore said that the council was petitioning the High Court to allow the vendors to remain in front of the building temporarily, until preparations are completed at Merriman’s Mall, located between Orange Walk and Cummings Street, where vendors operating in the Bourda Market area are expected to be relocated.
He also clarified with this publication that the removal of the stalls was not authorised by the mayor and city council. According to him, the action was taken unilaterally by the town clerk, without the council’s approval. He emphasized that the council has been working to keep vendors in the area until proper relocation arrangements are finalised, and vendors are being provided with proper utilities such as water, shelter and proper security.
However, following the removal of their stalls, and with vending being their primary source of income, some vendors returned to the area the very next day. Others joined in the days that followed, erecting temporary structures and using vehicles to continue their trade.
When Kaieteur News visited the location, it observed several vendors once again operating outside the building, using vans, cars and tables to display their goods. Some vendors have also begun renting nearby spaces to store their supplies. Speaking with Kaieteur News, vendors said they are determined to remain at the location until the Merriman’s Mall site is fully prepared, despite repeated calls by one of the building’s shareholders for their removal.
Vendor Anesha Haridat said she will continue selling despite ongoing pressure to leave. “They keep fighting us to remove, but today (Monday) they didn’t come, so that’s good. I use my bus now to store my goods and come out to sell. We have nowhere else to go and we didn’t want the goods to spoil, so we came back out here. I can’t move until the other place is set up, so this is what I’m doing for now,” she said. Another vendor, Jerry Budhram, expressed similar concerns. “We had to come back out. How are we going to survive? We have bills, we have to maintain things, and we have children to send to school. So we are here waiting to hear the position from the court,” he said.
Vendor Naz Dalchand explained that she borrowed a vehicle to continue operating. “This is a neighbour’s vehicle and I put two benches out here to sell. As soon as I’m finished selling, I pick up everything from the road,” she said. Other vendors, including Indira Indar, Risha Ramanand, Tandika Stephany, Leona Leacock, Camille Singh and Kavita Roberts, were also among those who have continued to ply their trade at the location, many of them accompanied by their children.
The vendors explained that the next court date with the High Court will commence on January 15, regarding the courts’ position to allow the vendors to stay in front of the building until the Merriman’s mall is complete.
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- Alfred Mentore, entrance, Georgetown, Kaieteur News, Mayor of the City Council, neighbours, Robb and Alexander Streets
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