Vendors who plied their trade around the Discount Store on Regent Street were in a saddened state yesterday, one day after they were removed on Sunday by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) following two High Court orders.
When Stabroek News visited the area outside of the Discount Store yesterday morning the vendors were at the location with the expectation that they would still be able to operate without hindrance. They collectively explained that they were issued with notices to vacate the area since April 8th. The vendors opined that despite the court order the M&CC should have properly explored alternatives before removing them from the area.
The Discount Store was granted a mandamus by the High Court to have the vendors removed. Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George issued the Mandamus at the High Court on April 10th. On Sunday, Town Clerk Candace Nelson, who led the removal exercise, had told Stabroek News that the council was acting on court orders and as a result the vendors were removed from both locations. Makeshift stalls, pallets, freezers and tables were removed from around Demico House. Workers attached to the M&CC removed garbage from the area.
According to the Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, the agreement was for the Stabroek Bazaar to be restored on Sunday so that vendors could return to the area to ply their trade earliest while permanent solutions would be explored.
In relation to the notice on April 8th that was distributed by the M&CC, vendors plying their trade on the pavement and roadway around RNK Investments Limited (commonly known as the Discount Store) situated at Lot 102 Regent and Wellington streets, Georgetown were given notice to immediately desist from selling around the environs and to remove all encumbrances.
The vendors said that they did not move from the area since alternatives were not provided by the council and as a result, they remained at the location despite the court order.
The M&CC issued the final notice on April 24th for vendors to vacate the location.
While a popular fast-food spot was uprooted on Sunday, this did not stop the vendor from pitching her tent yesterday on the other side of Wellington Street on the pavement at the side of the Multicomplex Mall. The vendor operated from the new location comfortably as customers gathered in their numbers on the pavement as they waited to purchase food.
Other vendors mentioned that despite being removed by the M&CC they look forward to operating from the same location. “We ain’t giving up no mountains, we ain’t giving up no tree, we ain’t giving up no river that belongs to we, not one blue saki, not one rice grain, not one cuirass, not a blade of grass.” the vendor declared.
Brian Wilson, a clothing vendor who occupied his spot for some 25 years, explained that he would hang the clothing on the wall of the building located on Wellington Street. Wilson added that at the time of the exercise he was at home and was later notified about the removal.
“They didn’t move my stocks just the table and pallets. Yes, council say that Discount Store file a court order for we to move saying that we can’t sell here. What we must do?“
Ruth Hutson Aaron, who has been a clothing vendor for 15 plus years, explained that while she was vending at the spot for years, registration had to be done at the M&CC’s office before permission was granted. Aaron explained they were allowed to ply their trade and paid a cleaning fee of $2000 to the M&CC.
Michelle Charles, a single parent told Stabroek News that her children’s daily sustenance is dependent on the small business. Charles had been occupying the spot for 15 plus years. According to the mother of two, one of her children is expected to sit the National Grade Six Assessment and it might be a difficult task if she is unable to provide for her family.
Vendors who plied their trade around Demico House, Stabroek, and who were also removed on Sunday, did not return to the location yesterday. Banks DIH trucks were able to easily access the location without hindrance to deliver goods.
