THE once thriving Stelling View Market, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, also in Georgetown, will no longer be open in time for this holiday season.
It is now expected to reopen early next year, Project Consultant Errol Brisport, from the Markets Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), said yesterday. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the facility is 80 per cent complete and should be officially reopened in January. It was to be occupied again last October but was delayed, due to inclement weather and flooding by Spring tide in the Demerara River.
In a recent interview, Clerk of Markets Schulder Griffith had explained that the project is not being financed by the M&CC, which is cash strapped presently and there is need for some assistance from private individuals and prospective stallholders.
He said the Markets Department was also trying to secure help from the Ministry of Public Works, which had indicated that it would have the floor built.
The benab, a new style of stall in the middle of the market that will be packed with fruits and vegetables, has already been erected, Mr. Griffith stated.
He said the underlying cause of the delay is a shortage of funds and efforts are being made to source more.
According to him, stallholders are also refraining from completing their stalls while continuing to vend at their present locations.
It was only after the Markets Department took a tough stand and threatened to give their spots to others that they started working again on the constructions.
Replicating the transformation that has become the New Vendors Mall on Water Street, where 180 sellers taken off the streets are now selling, Stelling View Market will accommodate 53 more of them.
They will build their respective stalls at their own expense but according to specifications, under the guidance of the Markets Department, Griffith said, adding that toilet facilities will be provided and prospective stallholders have already agreed to maintain them.
Standpipes have been installed and more amenities are to be put in place to accommodate businesses that include boutiques, barber shops, salons and haberdasheries, in the restoration scheme started last January. (Telesha Persaud)