Comply or face legal action – M&CC tells roadside cosmetologists

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has warned roadside city barbers and cosmetologists to return to the Merriman Mall or face legal action, while simultaneously risk having their equipment seized.

This was told to over 20 of the entrepreneurs who attended a meeting called by Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green, Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikaran and Councillors on Wednesday.

They were reminded that it is illegal to operate on the streets of Georgetown and that a decision was taken by the Council on April 24, to have them removed permanently.

“You can’t be washing people’s feet, doing pedicures, filing nails on the streets and cutting hair. And in some cases, right next to where people are selling food. It is unhealthy and the law is quite clear,” Chase Green explained.

The entrepreneurs, who once occupied pavements along Croal, America, Longden and Regent Streets, were moved to the Merriman Mall during May of last year, after it was recognised that their operations were not in keeping with public health laws.

The aim was to raise the standard for grooming operators to offer their services and earn a living in a more organised, excellent manner which can be beneficial to them and the city.

The facility was therefore set up free of cost to the operators and each person was required to pay a fee of $1000 per week for cleaning and maintenance of the area.

However, the Mayor said it was brought to the Council’s attention that many of the entrepreneurs have returned to the streets of Georgetown, with the help of some City Constabulary officers and Councillors.

“While you may be encouraged by persons who can’t help you, because while they might encourage you to go back there (the streets) and you pay them to stay there, if this Council says to move you tomorrow, you have to be removed regardless of how much you are paying them. And the only person you should be paying to vend in the City of Georgetown is a revenue collector,” she asserted.

Chase Green said the Council felt disrespected by the decision of the entrepreneurs to return to the city streets after consideration was given to have them placed at a suitable facility.

During the meeting, the entrepreneurs complained of the junkies, who would sleep on Merriman Mall and would leave the area in an unsanitary condition. They also raised concerns about the toilet facilities.

Meanwhile, a cosmetologist said she was willing to work with the guidelines provided by the M&CC but said she will not be moving from the facility, because she cannot afford to rent someplace on her own.

The Mayor advised the beauticians to pool together their resources and rent spaces around the city.

She said while it may an expensive undertaking for one entrepreneur, it might be a better option to have them join partnerships, so as to reduce overhead costs.

Some of the businessmen and women were not pleased with the advice, and said that it was difficult to find $1000 per week much less to rent a station or buildings.

But Chase Green reminded them that it is not the responsibility of the Council either to provide a space for them to operate. However, she said the Council is willing to sit with them and discuss in greater detail how they could assist them in finding affordable facilities.

Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikaran also told Guyana Times on the sideline of the meeting that the entrepreneurs are misguided, since they are under the impression that the Council has a responsibility to secure a spot for them, in light of them being taken off the streets.

“If you want to be in business, you have to make sacrifices and pay rent. You also have to observe the rules and the laws. Anybody who has ever gone into business, even small entrepreneurs knows this. You can’t depend on City government to do these things for you. It’s impossible. It can’t work,” he explained.

The Municipal and District Council (Act 28:01) Part II has provisions relating to barber shops which states that “No person shall act as a barber in or upon any public street or way or at any place within public view other than at a duly registered barber’s shop.”

Before a barber can commence operations he must be registered with the M&CC. The registration process includes a medical examination by the Council’s Medical Officer of Health, who will provide a medical certificate to the applicant deeming the applicant fit to carry out such an operation.

The entrepreneurs have until July 31, 2017 to find a permanent location to continue their business.