City Council to ‘organise’ Cuffy Square vendors – Mayor

Vendors operating around the Cuffy Monument will not be left without options as the city moves to organise vending activities around the historic landmark, Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore has said.

Following a unanimous decision taken by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, these persons have to vacate the vicinity of the 1763 Monument.

The decision to clear the Square of the Revolution comes amid concerns that the monument, which commemorates the 1763 Berbice slave rebellion led by national hero Cuffy, is being desecrated by both commercial and non-commercial activities.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Mentore said while the council has agreed that vending around the square must be better managed, efforts are underway to identify an alternative location where the affected vendors can continue their trade.

“We will look at an alternative place that they could possibly go. I mean, the council is not required by law to provide spaces for everyone. We try to work on accommodating persons and to deal with those matters as we go along,” he said.

The mayor explained that vendors will be given 14 days to remove from the Square of the Revolution after being served notice by the council, while owners of trailers parked aback of the monument will be given 24 hours to remove those vehicles.

Mentore also warned that failure to comply with the council’s decision could result in enforcement action by the municipality. The mayor said discussions are expected to be held with the vendors to address the notice that was issued and to outline possible arrangements for relocation.

“I am in support of some amount of selling where persons who come to visit might want to buy a drink or snack, but it started to get out of hand,” Mentore said.

Mentore added that the council’s aim is to ensure the historic site remains orderly and properly maintained while still seeking workable solutions for the vendors affected by the move.

“I am trying my best within the limited resources that we have to find workable solutions for those people,” he said.