THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC), eager to fix the vending issue in the City, met with vendors on Thursday to discuss several proposals for the upgrade of some municipal markets.Town Clerk Royston King has announced that, with the intent of creating more space for vending, the City Council is seeking to extend the northern side of Stabroek Market by constructing an upper storey which would accommodate more vendors.

The intention, he said, is not for the market to lose its architectural beauty and design, and as such work would be done on the side and back of the market, as opposed to its front.

In fact, City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green was adamant that relocating vendors to the Stabroek Market Square is non-negotiable.

But on Thursday, at City Hall, where vendors of the various markets were invited to give their opinions on the M&CC’s proposals, a businessman suggested that the Square be converted into a parking area. Should this be done, the businessman said, the market’s design would not be affected, and life would be made easier for tourists and shoppers.

Meanwhile, speaking of the ‘Bourda Green’ area, the Town Clerk said the M&CC’s intention is to construct a three-storey multi-complex shopping mall there, with on-site parking at the bottom. In response to that proposal, a businessman suggested that a drive-through should also form part of the facility, as the current trend is that many people shop greens at the Bourda Market while driving slowly on the various streets where the market is located.

Additionally, the Town Clerk said, in relation to the New Vendors Mall on Water Street, the plan is to change the design of the market from being a flat one to one that would go up two storeys.

IMMEDIATE RELIEF

But while welcoming discussions on the proposals, vendors called for immediate relief to some of their problems. They noted that, as great as the plans are, they would come on stream only in approximately three years.

One Merriman Mall vendor, opining that vendors are not familiar with those who are to represent their interests, noted that representatives seldom meet with vendors to discuss the many issues affecting them.

“Where are your constables? They know of it; they see it; they are a part of it. You might have to get rid of some of your own officers,” said one vendor when the issue of illegal activities in the market areas was raised.

Another vendor, Dr. Roxanne Padmore, who runs her father’s business which commenced some 50 years ago in Bourda Market, said the number of homeless persons in and around the market is a bother to her.

“They are cooking on the pavements. Their bathroom and toilet are on the pavements. They are washing and hanging their clothes (there). It smells, it floods, it’s disgusting!” she remarked, as she noted that on one occasion when it rained, she observed four homeless persons bathing naked in the rain.

Dr. Padmore has said that had it not been for her father’s ‘loyal’ customers, her father’s business would have been closed. She also said that if she were not running her family’s business, she would not purchase anything from the Bourda Market.

She recounted an incident when a chain belonging to one of her customers was snatched in front of her. “I’m afraid (for) my safety every day. I have to be more conscious when I am walking in the market with my shoulder bag,” she declared.

Chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee, Mr. Lionel Jaikarran, told vendors: “I would like to assure everyone here present that (I) and my entire markets’ committee are committed to ensuring that your needs and concerns are met in a prompt and holistic manner. We have your concerns at heart.”