NA Market vendors meet Mayor over street vending

Vendors attached to the New Amsterdam Municipal Market raised several concerns on Wednesday with Mayor Wainwright McIntosh over illegal vending and certain businesses being allowed to operate in close proximity to the market.
Commercial activity in the New Amsterdam market has been dwindling for several years. This, according to vendors, have forced many of them to move outside the market to ply their trade.
However, many of those who remain inside the marketplace are saying the reduced business is a result of street vending, arguing that people now opt to shop on the street instead of going into the market.

Those, who are vending outside the market, have said that it is the “big” businesses that have been allowed to set up in close proximity to the municipal market as well as the numerous supermarkets established in the town and nearby communities that are slowing down business for market vendors.
They also say that mobile vending is also throwing a heavy blow to activities within the New Amsterdam Market as almost anything which is available in the market can be purchased from mobile vendors right outside homes.
Wednesday’s meeting which was organised by Mayor Wainwright McIntosh gave market vendors an opportunity to raise these concerns.
McIntosh said he wants to work with all stakeholders while noting that many of the market vendors do not live within the township.
Vendors expressed concern over the closing hours of the market and asked for it to be opened until 17:00h.

However. Market Clerk Mark Haynes quoting from the law which speaks specifically about the New Amsterdam market said the opening hours are from 06:30h to 16:00h and on Sundays and holidays up to 09:00h.
One of the vendors, Ravanie Persaud pointed said, “when they (shoppers) do come into the market, they say that they would normally buy from the trucks which come right to their homes. Persons on wheels are affecting the market. That is why we are asking for a little leniency with the time. Certain customers do want to come but they are leaving work at 4:00 and 4:30 pm.”
Andre Millington, one of the market vendors, who now plies his trade from outside of the market in defending his position argued that vendors should take into consideration the impact other businesses and supermarkets are having on the market.
He noted that a supermarket situated opposite the New Amsterdam Market sells vegetables and another one situated next to the municipal market also sells vegetables and other items which are sold in the market.
“Why are people complaining that it is the couple who are making a living from selling outside? We have no impact on their business in the market,” he said while noting that the bylaws of the town speak about certain aspects of business in the vicinity of the market.
“We outside there finding it rough too, the people are passing us and going into the supermarket and pass back,” the confectionary seller said.
“Somebody has to study the impact of these big businesses on the market and come to a conclusion and plan the way forward. The Council is the best body to do that, they will be in a good position to make informed decisions,” Millington said.
However, Jenny Indar, who sells inside on the market called for those selling on the toad shoulders to be removed.

100 feet away
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Kirk Fraser pointed out to the gathering that according to the law, certain businesses should not be allowed to operate close to the municipal market.
“It should be 100 feet away. I think what we need to do is to look at the licenses that these people received from GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority] and see what they are permitted to sell and those that they are not permitted to sell then we will have to take the necessary actions in order to ensure that the small man gets what he is required to get.”
He said the market vendors are at a disadvantage.
“The vendors need to be protected by the bylaws of the town,” the Deputy Mayor said.
He also pointed out that the laws are there which speaks about supermarkets being opened on Sundays.
“We will probably have to look at that to ensure that there is enforcement in the town when it comes to business and the house that they are expected to operate,” Fraser added.
Another vendor, Omo Adams said people have choices. The utterance was in relation to persons choosing to make purchases from the supermarket.
“The crowds will never be back in the market. There are supermarkets all over. When the market closes up at 4:00 the supermarkets close up at 9:00,” he added.
Some vendors also expressed concern over what they claim is the high rental being charged by the council.
Omo Adams compared the fees being charged for a spot to vend in the New Amsterdam Market with that of the Rosehall Town Market.
“I go and sell at the Rosehall Market on some days and pay $240 to sell and when I come to the New Amsterdam Market I have to pay $1000.”
Meanwhile, vendors also complained of some of their colleagues indiscriminately dump their waste in the market and called for better policing of the facility by the constabulary department.
Vendors also spoke of animals getting into the market at night and eating fruits and vegetables, stray dogs sleeping on their stalls and the droppings of pigeons living in the ceiling also staining clothes and footwear.
Vagrants being allowed to enter the market also pose a threat to vendors. The mayor was told of several instances when such persons have gone into the market and armed themselves with vendor’s knives and created havoc. The New Amsterdam Mayor has committed to have all those issues addressed. (G4)