The newly erected vending booths in Castries were intended to address sidewalk overcrowding by vendors.
However, the vendors have complained that sales have dropped sharply since moving from the sidewalks to their new location.
The sidewalks near the government printery in Castries became a no-vending zone recently when the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) officially commissioned the new vending facilities.
Peter Isaac, President of the Saint Lucia Craft and Dry Goods Vendors Association, told St. Lucia Times that vendors have observed a significant decrease in their sales since relocating to enclosed booths.
“Vendors rely on foot traffic, persons traversing the streets and their items on dispaly to attract customers,” Isaac explained. “With the new booths, persons are not able to see the goods easily, and that has caused a decline in their sales.”
Relocated vendors who requested that only their first names be used, agreed.
Fruit vendor Thomas disclosed that his sales have declined significantly since the move because passersby do not have a clear view of his goods.
“I still have to put my table outside, so people can see my goods,” he explained.
Another vendor, Marcella, told St. Lucia Times that her sales had decreased to 10 percent.
“Today, all I made was 15 dollars. Sometimes, I leave here and I have to come back down to town from Monchy, because I forgot to close the window. When you do the math, the money finish. When I was out there, sales was perfect !” Marcella explained.
Vendors Association President Peter Isaac observed that despite efforts to boost traffic and sales with a weekly karaoke, sales have not improved.
“It may have increased sales for the bars there, but not for the dry goods vendors, and that is what we want to boost,” Isaac noted.
Isaac indicated that his association was seeking a meeting with the Castries Constituency Council and the Parliamentary Representative for Castries Central to discuss alternative vending arrangements.
He said the current arrangement was not working as planned.
When you are being spiteful to people that’s what happen. Imagine they put you in a little box to vend and at the end of the month your output is more than your monthly income. Make it make sense.
St.lucians never want to accept anything good, always looking to create a roro,when there isn’t any issue.
New location,is prime,all these projectiles are no longer dangerous, for people who walk that street daily.
Complain, complain, complain – you guys have to look at the bigger picture.
I am not a vendor, I have always despised vendors taking up the entire side walk but this new location is s**t. An ugly place to keep the vendors out of sight and out of mind while they waste money on putting ugly flowerpots in the way.
Maybe some of the vendors asked for this by over reaching but to pretend their current situation is better is disingenuous.
@ Anonymous…..did you really and truly mention ” bigger picture”. Where is the bigger picture in erecting plywood huts in a prime location in the middle of a dying city? This is the first of many visionless things being done that will fail…that courthouse thing is next!
So vendors want to pay 3.00 everyday on street corner while other people have high rent cost.happy they off the streets.people could barely walk the sidewalk chupes..
On another note they built the structure Wrong ..it’s not attracting sales at all. But it is what is is..your customers will find you where ever you are
This was just a move to sell the vending areas around the waterfront and bananns for the cruise ship association that bought the Castries port
I heard a group of tourist converse about Castries… It simmer down to just pure visionless leadership with no hope for the future generations. So they are visiting and seeing this and we have to live and dwell amongst it. Come next election when they knock at your door the same complaining individuals will go give him their votes and be violated, pack with deception riddle with corruption.
Life seems to be getting worse here, fear not. God is in control, He will send a deliverer like Moses to free his people.
People can’t even use their names to complain. They are afraid the bully retaliates. This is what we have been relegated to. Afraid to speak up for fear of victimization.
Adel, if there is to be a change, please we do not want Allen and Guy to be part of the new group. I rather leave Labor there than to bring back Allen and Guy.
Prople will always complain. The vendors just need to market thier business in the decent location where they are. Come on. They were under tents. Today they have booths where they won’t get wet. Their products are secure. They need to market and promote thier business.
@Josephine Antoine…..people like you deserve everything Labor doing to you….high gas prices,endless taxes,food prices increase,poor medical services &no medication,endless corruption etc. Just because of your hatred for 2 men?….and you only hate them because of RF and Christopher’s propergander? Well let me say this…..you deserve everything that’s happening to you right now and all those that think like you!
Have any of the contributors above even visit this visionary location for vendors??
Stinger, all these things you mentioned, we have been having these things from 1964 till now. 2016 to 2021 was worst.
The booths are very pretty and the murals really enhance the area. However, it feels too “closed in”. Might it help to have tables and chairs to make the area more inviting? Windows on both sides of the booths would open them up to pedestrian traffic. These changes would not be costly. The benefits can easily be monitored.