IN an effort to bring some structure, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council will soon convene a meeting to discuss measures to formalise vending operations at Stabroek.
During Monday’s statutory meeting, concerns were raised regarding overcrowding, sanitisation, and safety in one of the busiest commercial zones in Georgetown.

The lack of formality in vending practices in the area has caused traffic congestion and made it challenging to ensure cleanliness and safety.
Recognising these problems, Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore ordered the Markets Committee to undertake talks with vendors and other interested parties in order to develop a regulatory structure that strikes a balance between the needs of vendors, customers, and the wider public.

The Mayor stated that after a plan is developed, letters will be sent to the vendors. Health and safety regulations, waste management procedures, and authorised vending zones are a few of the suggested approaches. The Council aims to reduce traffic and enhance the overall shopping experience for visitors by designating distinct zones for various kinds of vendors and implementing precise rules for waste disposal and hygiene.

In response to the Mayor’s request for clarification on the situation, Clerk of Markets Sherlock Lovell stated that in addition to the 13 people selling goods from pallets and tables, there are other people occupying permanent stalls that require rent payment. He said that there is a $300 sanitisation fee for each pallet space that these 13 merchants are charged. The small fee is paid daily. Lovell said that these persons are allowed to sell from 15:00 hours to 18:30 hours.

Councilman Troy Garraway said that it is difficult to go about business in this area because it is overcrowded. According to him, clearing the space is necessary to allow visitors to reach the permanent stalls. However, he estimates there are about 100 persons selling there.

Unregulated vending continues to pose significant challenges for the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown. The informal nature of vending persists, raising questions about the Council’s ability to manage and regulate this integral aspect of urban commerce. In the recent past, Muneshwers Limited, Shamdas Kirpalani and Collections Boutique and Gift Centre–businesses in Georgetown– have secured orders from the High Court compelling the City Council to remove vendors, along with their stands, structures, and personal items, from the sidewalks and adjacent areas outside of their respective businesses.