Vendors welcome compensation promise amid Castries Market redevelopment concerns

President of the Saint Lucia Vendors Association, Peter ‘Ras Ipa’ Isaac, has welcomed Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s commitment to compensate vendors displaced by ongoing redevelopment works at the Castries Vendors Arcade, while also calling for fairness, proper relocation planning, and relief for struggling vendors.

The arcade, located adjacent to the cruise port in Castries, forms part of the wider port redevelopment project being undertaken through the partnership between the Government of Saint Lucia and Global Ports Holding. The project is expected to transform the island’s main cruise port and surrounding facilities, including upgrades to the vendors’ arcade and tourism infrastructure.

Demolition works began earlier this week on the existing structure to make way for the new development, forcing vendors to vacate the facility within a short timeframe, though they were provided with notice. The move raised concern among vendors, many of whom depend almost entirely on tourism-related sales for survival.

In an interview with St. Lucia Times, Ras Ipa said he was not surprised by the Prime Minister’s announcement that compensation would be provided.

“I was expecting something like that because I know the Prime Minister,” he said. “He has a place in his heart for little people, people like us who are struggling. I must say bravo to him because if he didn’t react in the way that he reacted in terms of coming out and saying that the vendors would be compensated, I would be disappointed.”

However, while expressing appreciation for the government’s intervention, Ras Ipa questioned whether all displaced vendors would benefit equally.

“The only thing I need to ask a question about and I want to understand is why there would be some kind of cherry-picking as to who is going to get and who’s not going to get,” he stated.

According to Ras Ipa, approximately 115 vendors were affected by the closure, yet only 44 temporary booths are expected to be available in the first phase of relocation efforts. He explained that construction delays and logistical issues, reportedly linked to global supply chain challenges and ongoing international conflicts, have impacted the project timeline.

He said vendors were given roughly 12 days to vacate the arcade, despite many having invested heavily in makeshift shutters, counters, and storage solutions over the years.

“People had to break those things down and hire transport to carry them home. We had very little time to do that,” he explained.

Ras Ipa also raised concerns about the economic realities facing vendors who rely heavily on cruise tourism. He noted that while Saint Lucia experiences a busy tourism season for part of the year, many vendors endure extended slow periods with little to no cruise traffic.

“Ninety per cent of our vendors depend solely on the tourism industry,” he said. “Sometimes in the off-season there’s one ship a week, sometimes none.”

He further argued that vendors face stiff competition from cruise ships, which often sell similar souvenirs on board at lower prices, reducing the likelihood that passengers will purchase locally.

Despite these challenges, Ras Ipa stressed that vendors continue to play an important role in the local economy, referencing previous statements that vendors, taxi operators, minibus drivers, farmers, and small manufacturers collectively contribute approximately eight per cent to Saint Lucia’s GDP.

“The moment a vendor makes five dollars, that money goes straight back into the economy,” he stated. “They buy bread, take a bus home, pay bills and support other businesses.”

Ras Ipa also reflected on past government interventions aimed at assisting vendors during difficult economic periods. He recalled that former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony once granted vendors a two-year reprieve on rental payments after witnessing the hardships they faced.

He also commended former Castries Town Clerk Lambert Nelson for previously approving rental discounts during slow tourism periods.

At present, vendors reportedly pay approximately $138 monthly in rent following the introduction of VAT.

Ras Ipa suggested that the government should consider either relocating vendors temporarily to unused space within the Castries Market building or compensating all displaced vendors equally, regardless of whether they owe outstanding rent.

“I think everyone who’s in there, whether they owe rent or not, should be compensated,” he said.

He additionally expressed concern over comments allegedly made by the Minister for Local Government regarding future rental increases at the new facility. According to Ras Ipa, vendors had hoped there would be a freeze on rental increases for at least two years after relocation into the upgraded arcade.

“We welcome what the Prime Minister is saying. That’s a step in the right direction,” he noted. “But I think good sense must prevail that people must go into that place with a clean slate and start afresh.”