THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has met with business owners, as well as wholesale and retail vendors around the Bourda area to fix new times for vending.
At a recent meeting at City Hall, it was announced that the wholesale vendors who ply their trade along Robb Street, between Alexander and Bourda Streets, will now have between 07:30hrs and 12:00hrs to do business.

The retail vendors now have between 17:00hrs and 19:00hrs daily, while the businesses located in the vicinity of North Road, Robb Street, Orange Walk and Alexander Street will have an opportunity to do business between noon and 17:00hrs.
“The wholesalers wanted to go until 16:00hrs but we have to cater for everyone,” City Hall Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis said.

“With the area clear of vendors for some hours during the day, the legitimate businesses would get a chance also,” she added.

After noon, wholesalers who would like to continue doing business, Lewis said, can relocate to Merriman Mall, between Orange Walk and Cummings Street to do so.
A sub-committee was formed with representatives of wholesalers, retailers and businesses, which will be able to communicate the concerns of the vendors to the City Council.

Just last week, the City Council swooped down to remove vendors along Alexander Street, between Regent and Robb Streets. Some vendors were immediately granted permission to sell on Robb Street, thus joining the host of other wholesale vendors there.
Some 30 vendors along Alexander Street whose stalls were found to be impeding traffic and causing congestion were removed.

The vendors were also blocking business entrances. “Everyone must make a daily bread and not excluding the store owners. We cannot act in the interest of only one set of people,” Lewis had said.

The rules dictate that wholesale vending should only be done out of a vehicle, and vendors are required to have no more than two pieces (basin, bag or basket) on the ground in front of their vehicles.

“We spoke to them over and over again and they refused to stop the practice,” Lewis said, adding:

“The Council, with the help of its hydraulic machines, removed their tables and pallets.”
Lewis said the City Council workers cleared out the drains as they removed the structures. The drains were full of sand, filth and garbage, she disclosed.