Merriman Mall produce vendors to move east

– making way for new city car park

Merriman Mall produce vendors were yesterday given two weeks to move from the paved area they currently occupy to a smaller section just behind it, previously known as the “skating rink.” According to the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC), this is to facilitate the creation of a parking lot on that space, which is expected to provide the council with revenue while alleviating some of the parking woes in that part of the city.

At a meeting at City Hall yesterday, the vendors had some demands of their own, highlighting the need for security including and lighting and better sanitation including provision of washroom facilities and water.

The vendors who operate weekly on from Wednesday to Saturday, previously plied their trade on the entire section of the Merriman Mall between Cummings Street and Orange Walk.

Mayor Hamilton Green, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Town Clerk Royston King and other members of the M&CC meet with vendors from the Merriman’s Mall.
Mayor Hamilton Green, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Town Clerk Royston King and other members of the M&CC meet with vendors from the Merriman’s Mall.

At the beginning of last month, the M&CC had told the vendors that they would have to compress their activities to one section of the area. The more than 30 vendors currently occupy a space of 316 ft. their move to the eastern section only would see them compressed to a 156 ft space; approximately two-thirds of the space they now occupy.

Vendors are not satisfied with this proposal. They believe that the compression would make it difficult for them to fit all of their produce. They are also calling on the council to take steps to upgrade the security and sanitation of the area.

At yesterday’s meeting, which was the second between the vendors and the council, Mayor Hamilton Green explained that the Clerk of Markets has developed a plan to maximize the use of space. According to Green, this arrangement would allow for the comfortable accommodation of some 50 vendors. This accommodation is however premised on vendors occupying no more than three pallets.

City Hall Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, explained to Stabroek News that a pallet on average takes up three feet of space.

“Right now there are about 30 vendors operating there, if they use about three pallets [each] then they should fit comfortably,” Lewis explained. She said that at present there are vendors who occupy as many as eight and ten pallets, but are only paying for two. The council is also making an attempt to standardize the operations of the vendors.

Green asked that all vendors use display tables and covers (umbrellas or tents) which are uniform in size, height and dimension. The vendors have also been asked to operate in the middle of the space so that there are two corridors for passage one, on each side. “It must be standardized,” Green stressed.

The M&CC has told vendors to form a committee to engage with the council on issues of concern so that the necessary changes can be instituted before November 16.

One vendor, Quacy De Freitas, speaking with Stabroek News explained that the vendors need the M&CC to upgrade the sanitation and security of the area.

“We need certain facilities. We need proper lights. We need proper water because the standpipes are broken. Persons may send junkies with a bucket for water you don’t know where they are getting it from, they sprinkle it on the produce people buy the produce and may get bacterial infections. A permanent standpipe there and permanent bins will allow us to properly manage the sanitation of the area,” he said. “There is no problem if we have to move north, south, east or west but we need somewhere we can be comfortable. Marketing has to do with presentation. If persons come to shop and they see the place looking unsanitary they would rather go to the supermarket because they are more comfortable there. There are also a lot of pickpockets there so we also need the security of lights and constant patrols.”

De Freitas acknowledged that the council is working but noted that more is needed.

While the Mayor told the vendors that the council can’t “promise to stop the pickpockets,” Town Clerk Royston King has committed to providing the requested services.

“The initial plan is to put in place adequate sanitary facilities including running water and lights on or before November 16,” King told Stabroek News.