New Amsterdam Market vendors seek January start to reconstruction

…fear disruption during lucrative Christmas shopping season
…Mayor takes concerns to Local Government Ministry

Vendors operating in sections of the New Amsterdam Municipal Market are appealing for the commencement of reconstruction works to be postponed until January 2027, fearing that the planned November start could disrupt their businesses during the lucrative Christmas shopping season.
The appeal follows a meeting on Thursday during which vendors operating in the fisheries section and along a driveway within the market compound were informed that they would have to cease vending in those areas to facilitate demolition and construction activities associated with the $1.029 billion redevelopment project.
The fisheries building is earmarked for demolition to make way for a new structure, while the driveway must be cleared to allow construction materials and equipment to be transported into the compound.
Although the vendors are not opposing the redevelopment, they are concerned that losing access to their trading spaces during the Christmas season could deprive them of additional income at a time when sales traditionally increase.
The affected vendors were informed of the arrangements during a meeting with members of the Market Committee on Thursday. They subsequently requested the presence of New Amsterdam Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, to whom they expressed their concerns and appealed for the works to commence in January instead.
In an interview, McIntosh acknowledged the vendors’ concerns, explaining that the proposed November commencement could affect their livelihoods.
“On the part of the vendors, the vendors are contending this season is where they make a little surplus on their investment, a little more surplus. Given the fact that we’re heading into the Christmas season, their sales and livelihood stand the possibility of being interrupted,” the Mayor explained.
He said the vendors were requesting that the project begin in January rather than November to allow them to benefit from the Christmas shopping period.
McIntosh confirmed that he met with the vendors at their request and undertook to raise their concerns with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
“I said to them, I will make contact with the necessary forces with the responsibility. I did ask the clerk to write to the Ministry of Local Government, to the Minister of Local Government, apprising the Minister of the request of the citizens,” he stated. The Mayor also disclosed that a representative of the Ministry is expected to visit New Amsterdam on Tuesday for discussions with vendors and market officials, including the Clerk of Market.
“And so, we will be exploring the possibility of possible measures that can be put in place to minimise those projected challenges on the part of the vendors,” McIntosh said.
Mayor McIntosh did not indicate whether the Ministry would agree to postpone the works, and to date no decision on the vendors’ request has been announced.
The reconstruction of the New Amsterdam Municipal Market was officially launched on September 18, 2026, when Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand turned the sod for the project.
Four construction contracts, valued at a combined $1,029,898,477, were awarded for the redevelopment, which will replace the ageing market with modern facilities. The project provides for three market buildings, designated trading sections, an open vending area, improved sanitation, drainage, parking and other supporting infrastructure. At the launch, vendors were assured that the market would remain operational during reconstruction, with demolition and construction to be undertaken in phases to minimise disruption to commercial activities.
The first phase was expected to involve the demolition of a building at the rear of the market compound, with affected vendors being temporarily relocated as construction progressed. The overall project is expected to take about 20 months to complete. With reconstruction scheduled to commence in November, the affected vendors are awaiting the outcome of Tuesday’s discussions to determine whether their request for a January start will be accommodated or alternative arrangements introduced to minimise disruption during the Christmas season.