Newspaper vendors allowed to stay

NEWSPAPER vendors have been spared by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation’s decision to remove all vendors from the streets. However, Mayor Murchison Brown has appealed to vendors to improve their infrastructure to complement the city’s aesthetics. In an interview yesterday, Brown noted that while these vendors were highly important, they still needed to take a serious look at how they sold newspapers since very often the various trappings they used did not sit well with the ambience of the city. He also called on the various media houses to monitor vendors as part of their contribution to the city’s aesthetics.

Brown asserted that only newspaper vendors were to be allowed on the streets, and action would be taken against those who sold newspapers in addition to other items like drinks and foodstuff. “These are supposed to be either at the Central Market or at any of the other four locations set aside for vending.” These locations are the New City Mall on Independence Square, the People’s Mall on the corners of Frederick and Queen Streets, East Side Plaza and the Drag Brothers Mall on Piccadilly Street. He noted that the vendors preferred to use these locations as store rooms for their goods, which were usually transported by “barrow men” into the city on mornings.

Brown further stated that this exercise would be heavily maintained, which was made clear to members of the Vendors Association when he met with them recently. “This decision is final,” he said. “They have to find a place to vend their goods. After so many years they need to come up to the ball and find a fifth location, instead of waiting for people to find something for them.” Brown said that there were a number of vendors who have been out on the streets for as many as ten years. “Why would they want to stay on the streets?” he asked. “Don’t they have any plans to improve their status?”