An exercise by the Kingstown Central Market and the Kingstown Town Board to pull vegetable and fish market vendors off the streets of Kingstown, took place here on Wednesday without incident.

These vendors, who had registered stalls in the Kingstown vegetable and fish markets, were advised to return to their stalls and refrain from selling their products on the streets of Kingstown.{{more}}

In a letter dated April 12, 2007 from Manager of the Kingstown Central Market Johnny Jones, the vendors were informed that the act of selling their goods in the streets while owning a stall in the market was illegal.

The letter stated: “The time has now come for you to put an end to the haphazard vending on the streets of Kingstown. You have until Tuesday, April 17, 2007 to stop the vending on the street and return to the Central Market.”

According to the letter, failure to comply would result in vendors losing their stalls and the stalls being allocated to other persons.

Fortunately for the vendors, they all complied and were able to keep their stalls.

In an interview with Searchlight Newspaper, Deputy Warden of the Kingstown Town Board Benjamin Haynes said that the issue of selling vegetables and fish on the street was also a health concern. He said that when these commodities are sold on the street, they are more easily contaminated by pollutants in the air, as well as being affected by the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun.

Haynes indicated that there are a number of vacant stalls and shops in the market, and most vendors only use the facility as a storage area while they illegally occupy areas in Kingstown for selling their goods.

He further stated that not only can the Board take away their stalls, but by law, a vendor can also have his goods seized, a step that the Board is willing to take if the need arises.

When asked about the street vendors who do not have stalls at the market, Haynes said that considerations are being made to have a location allocated to these individuals.

While he acknowledged that the vendors are all trying to make a living, he encouraged vendors to come in and take advantage of the available stalls and called for consumers to support vendors who are in the market.

Jones’ letter reminded vendors that they are only allowed to vend outside the market in specific areas on Fridays and Saturdays, which, the letter stated was the reason for the flea market.