Fern Gully jitters - Vendors concerned about relocation

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Despite assurances, craft vendors located inside Fern Gully, leading into Ocho Rios, are worried about their impending relocation from the area to allow for upgrading work by the National Works Agency (NWA) of the roadway which winds throughout the hilly green space.

With business already slow for the craft vendors, they fear that the proposed relocation would further lower their sales. However, their president, Rose Garrett, has been helping to calm their fears.

The proposed new centre for the relocation of the 70 craft vendors is to be on land owned by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), along Milford Street, near the business centre of Ocho Rios.

"I'm very concerned ... very much," said Shirley Burey, a vendor who has been plying her wares in the Fern Gully for over two years. "When the rain forest is closed the number of tourists who usually come to see the space will go down," she predicted.

"I think things will be worse," said Molly Barnes. "I want to know how business will go when we move."

Another vendor Oneil Campbell, said most of the business comes from returning residents who pass through the Fern Gully en route from Kingston to Ocho Rios.

"It's slow now, so when they close the roadway, we will miss that business. Yes, we get business from the cruise ships, but itÕs like about 10 per cent or even less than that from those visitors."

Campbell said a new location would put a nail in the coffin of their business, as the vendors feel the new location would not be as convenient for travellers to and from Ocho Rios.

He said Member of Parliament Shahine Robinson has expressed concern about the relocation exercise and is seeking to assist them.

But president Garrett doesn't believe the relocation should have too much of a negative impact on the craft vendors' business. However, she pointed out that while the UDC lot is being talked about as the alternative venue, it is yet to be confirmed.

"I'm not worried right now," Garrett told Automotives. "We just have to arrange for the tour buses to visit our new location, as we have always done," she added.

On the other hand, she is concerned about the long time it will take to repair the roadway and the period of closure of Fern Gully.

"Why will the project take so long; all of nine months? I think they should work night and day to finish the job in a shorter time," Garrett suggested.