SBA: Mayor’s mall is mass confusion

San Fernando Business Association (SBA) president, Daphne Bartlett, has described as “mass confusion” the recent transformation of the southern city’s main shopping thoroughfare, High Street, into the nation’s first pedestrian mall. The mall, which encompasses upper High Street, was launched on Monday by Mayor Ian Atherly. It allows shoppers almost unrestricted access to stores and mini-malls along High Street. Only taxis and delivery vehicles are allowed on the street during the peak shopping hours from 6 am to 8 pm.

The massive traffic pile-ups on Monday on streets leading into the city, were not evident yesterday. Bartlett told Newsday store owners reported slower than normal sales yesterday. “Our customers have opted to shop elsewhere because of the difficulty getting into San Fernando,” she said. Banning private vehicles from using part of High Street has resulted in less people driving into the city to shop, choosing instead, to go elsewhere. Bartlett criticised police refusal to allow store owners entry to their business places along High Street with their vehicles.

“They are forced to park their vehicles on side streets,” Bartlett said. “You have taxis and buses using High Street like a drag strip, while legitimate owners are not allowed to park or off-load goods in front of their own stores,” the SBA president added. Responding to business owners’ concerns yesterday, Mayor Atherly told Newsday, “I think everything will be good with the initiative.  We just have to give it a chance.” Atherly said the mall was in place on a trial basis until December 31, the feasibility of which would be determined by how people respond to shopping without hindrance.