By Clestine Juan
THE dilapidated stelling of the Stabroek Market is to be torn down soon, Town Clerk Royston King said yesterday, and it is to be replaced with a mall-like facility, complete with a boardwalk and entertainment area. The portion of the stelling which faces the Demerara waterfront, has been an eyesore for years for the thousands who use the speedboat service every day. The sight of the ramshackle stelling, with zinc sheets dangling dangerously since a section of the roof caved in a year ago, is also what greets those coming in on cruise and other ships which use the Georgetown docks.

The collapse of a portion of the roof two Septembers ago did not affect business, with many stallhodlers determined to hold on to the spots they have occupied over the years, and for some, decades.
“The facility is not only an eyesore, it is ruinous and dangerous to the health and lives of persons who use it,” King said.
The structure could come down before the end of the month, King said. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
He said that in order to facilitate the demolition of the building and the construction of a new facility, vendors would be moved to the parking area behind the Guyana Fire Station alongside the Route 31/32 bus park. The parking area would be moved to the front of the Stabroek Market, which is being resurfaced for that purpose.
The town clerk said those who occupy the stelling to carry out business were given written notices that they will have to relocate, but the vendors denied this. They said they did not even receive a visit from city officials.
One vendor who did not want to disclose her name said the stelling has been her only way of generating income for her family over the past 18 years.
The woman expressed shock over the news of vendors being relocated, since it is almost the Christmas season which is the prime business period.
Another vendor, who gave her name only as Mrs Joseph, said that her stall was damaged when the Stelling collapsed last September.
“I would be happy to move, but these people should have given us vendors a three-month notice or at least hold off all the plans until next year,” she said.
In distress, the vendors vented their anger and said they are currently in the process of forming a group to represent their interests to city officials.

Mr King said that the move to replace the dilapidated structure with a new facility, is all part of the ambitious plan to renew the face of Georgetown.
Designs are being finalised for the new facility, and the council will be looking to attract the private sector to support the project.