Reporter
carisa.lee@cnc3.co.tt
In an attempt to further regularise and formalise vending in the capital city, the City Corporation has drafted 2026 contracts for registered vendors of the Charlotte Street and Environs Vending Programme.
While both parties agree on a zero-tolerance approach to cleanliness, public health compliance, respect for space boundaries and timely fee payments, one major sticking point remains: the requirement that stalls be dismantled, with vendors not permitted to leave structures or materials on the streets overnight.
“Vendors must ‘break down and set up daily’ to allow for cleaning,” Deputy Mayor Councillor Abena Hartley said.
Hartley told vendors that the agreements they are expected to sign next week will adhere strictly to all parameters and rules.
However, she acknowledged that a solution must be found to address the dismantling of stalls—an issue she said has ballooned over the years.
She added that the city also has a mandate to enforce.
“We can no longer accommodate the pallet, and pallet, and pallet. It’s too much, it’s too much garbage, it’s too much rats, too much vermin, too much for us to contain,” she said.
There was some pushback from vendors during the consultation.
Zone Three vendor Zeilia David said that, as an elderly woman, it would be difficult for her to break down and set up her stall daily. “I am not no young person, I doh have nobody helping me, sometime you have to look for a drug user to help you pack up,” she said as she suggested that no change be made to the current format.
Another vendor suggested allowing goods to be stored two feet above the ground, which would allow the Corporation to wash down and sanitise the space without damaging merchandise.
Others proposed that tables be allocated to every vendor to eliminate the use of beer crates and pallets.
Hartley reiterated that the process is not being forced and that the Council is not unreasonable, but stressed that a solution must be found.
Zone Two vendor O’Neil Benjamin raised the issue of illegal vending. He said he loses money as they come next to him to vend, and he loses thousands of dollars.
Benjamin said he understands the challenge, but he’s fed up.
Sgt Ravi Maharaj of the City Police said they are actively addressing the problem.
He said one illegal vendor was arrested three times in December, along with others operating on the corner of Prince and Charlotte, and promised further progress.
Vendors also said they should not be blamed solely for the build-up of garbage in the city, noting that some businesses also dispose of their waste in these areas.
