Stabroek Market to be restored, expanded; Bourda set for complete rebuild

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand has announced that the historic Stabroek Market will undergo extensive restoration and expansion over the next five years, while Bourda Market will be completely rebuilt.
Speaking at a recent meeting, the Minister said the restoration of Stabroek Market would be a complex undertaking due to the building’s historical significance.
“Restoration is very different from construction. I just got a report on the Stabroek Market for the next five years. The Stabroek Market is going to be restored and extended, and the Bourda Market is going to be rebuilt completely.” Manickchand explained that while the projects have been confirmed, the full plans are not yet available to the public, as the Government is still finalising the details. I can say that now. If you want to see a plan for that, you can’t see it now because we’re still in the process of getting the details of what restoration looks like when you’re talking about something built 100 years ago, and then how do you accommodate the people who can no longer fit in this restored building by an extension that does not take away from its aesthetics?”

She further explained that detailed planning is still underway, particularly for the restoration of the historic Stabroek Market, noting that preserving the building’s heritage while modernising and expanding the facility requires careful planning and execution. Moreover, the Minister highlighted that the expansion of the market must carefully balance the need for additional space with preserving the landmark’s historic appearance. She also explained that authorities are working on how best to accommodate the growing number of vendors without compromising the building’s architectural integrity. Further, the planned reconstruction of Bourda Market and the restoration and expansion of Stabroek Market are significant investments in improving market infrastructure.
In addition to creating better facilities for vendors and shoppers, the projects are expected to preserve one of Georgetown’s historic landmarks while expanding its capacity to meet modern demands. As of early 2026, works to enhance the capital city were planned to continue this year with some $2 billion set aside in Budget 2026 for the rehabilitation of the Stabroek Market and Bourda Green, as well as the enhancement of avenues throughout the city and other major locations. This sum was part of a $2.84 billion allocation towards the Georgetown Restoration Initiative that was approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.
During the consideration of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s budget estimates earlier this year,  Minister  Manickchand was grilled by opposition members on the budget allocations for the restoration project that seeks to return Georgetown to its former glory. Included in that sum is $100 million for further improvements to the Transport and Harbours’ old carriageway on Lamaha Street, $200 million for the enhancement of avenues within the city, another $150 million for the rehabilitation of the Municipal Training Council central area, and $35 million for the design and installation of street name signs in Georgetown.