by WENDY BURKE

SPRING GARDEN THEY COMING!

That's where the vendors on the perimeter of the Cheapside Market in The City will be going to a new location under construction.

Acting Manager of Markets Israel Kirton confirmed that the work had started but said
there was no completion date yet.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture and the Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN) had met on the issue already but there were no definite timelines.

BARVEN president Alister Alexander said they were not in any hurry to get to the new site, and the important point for them was that the new location be properly prepared.

"Proper completion of the project is key. They told us what the facility would have and as long as they keep their end of the bargain, we have no problem," he said.

He added that the association had a technical team which kept a close eye on the project, and informed the ministry if anything was out of place.

"We have to ensure that it [market] is appropriate and fit for the purpose. We don't want no rush because quick-fix brings problems in the future," said Alexander.

Some of the vendors told the DAILY NATION on Friday they would like to be gone tomorrow, with no immediate concerns about clients.

"You never had nothing in Warrens before, there was no Courts on Spring Garden, and Green Hill is now a town. I sell everywhere already; you can make clients wherever you go," said Joseph Alexander, who had been vending since 1956 and
at Princess Alice car park for 15 years.

Another vendor was anxious for her colleagues to move, so she could re-occupy the stall she had on the inside.

Giving her name only as M. Jordan, she said it made no sense to go inside when the sales were being made elsewhere.

"You make nothing on the inside. No one walks in there once they can find fruits and vegetables outside," she said.

Another vendor who would not give his name said he did not have transportation, so Spring Garden was out of the question for him. He was hoping to get a spot inside the
Cheapside Market.

Four vendors who sell close to the main road on Cheapside said they did not want to move before Christmas, because there was little business now and they were relying on the season to improve their fortunes.

wendyburke@nationnews.com