Vendors to be charged Christmas cleansing fee

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has instituted a Christmas cleansing fee for vending on its parapets and other thoroughfares for the festive season.

According to a press release from the M&CC yesterday, vendors plying their trade in Regent Street, sections of Water Street Stabroek front and sections of Robb Street will be required to pay $14,000 for two weeks.

The objective, the release said, is to allow vendors to share in the cost to collect garbage in those areas where vendors are doing business.

Large amounts of wrappings and other packaging materials could be seen in different sections in the main commercial areas at the end of any business day, the release observed.

As a result the council is forced to put extra trucks and other resources to manage the additional garbage generated by vendors.