THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been able to relocate more than 100 street vendors who previously were doing business at various locations around the city.Clerk of Markets, Sherlock Lovell, said on Tuesday that exactly 120 persons have registered and secured spots at the new Hadfield and Lombard Streets’ location, while more vendors are expected to come onboard.

He said washroom facilities, lighting and security are available at the location.

It was noted, however, that some amount of unease was expressed by vendors after requests were made for two persons to occupy one tent. They complained also about the heat and small operating space.

The Council is aware of this discomfort but has urged tolerance from the operators. Town Clerk Royston King said vendors must be “considerate and open-minded about the situation.” He noted that the vending situation had to be urgently addressed and the unavailability of an alternative location led to the use of the current one.

“All these vendors cannot fit at the location in separate tents; there is simply not enough space. Persons cannot expect also to layout all their items to sell. Again, there is simply not enough space. It therefore requires understanding, tolerance and consideration on the part of the vendors,” the Town Clerk said.

Chief Constable Andrew Foo related that Section 9 of the city by-laws says that no citizen is permitted to place any item on city pavements or walkways. The law states that no obstacle, including boxes, barrels and other encumbrances that would prevent the easy movement or access of other citizens, or would obstruct city pavements or any other city property, must be left, stored or placed there.

It was found, however, that not only did persons place items on city pavements and other city spaces, but they stored their items there and they also confiscated some spaces to the point that persons could not use certain public spaces.

Some vendors stored their items and belongings on the roadway, while others slept on the pavement as if taking up permanent residence. Many locations were also found to be in a filthy, unkempt condition, and therefore posed great danger to health.

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green recently admitted that the Council was losing control of the vending situation, given the municipality’s previous situation.

Acknowledging that many single parents, especially mothers, were involved in street vending, and many persons gained employment through this avenue, some leverage was given. It was also noted that the city defended vendors when they were being evicted from the streets with no other mechanisms being put in place for them.

However, the Council is now adamant that a new, organized vending system must be developed as the city moves ahead, and the “confusion” that once existed can no longer be tolerated.

The Council continues to urge the co-operation of all vendors, and insists that what is being sought at this time is a meaningful solution to the organization and confirmation of persons who once illegally occupied city spaces.