New market location builds Falmouth vendors fears

The multimillion-dollar redevelopment project being undertaken in Falmouth has created a dilemma for vendors in the town who welcome the plan, but fear they will not be able to share in the economic windfall.

The vendors' concern centres around the location of the new market being constructed by the Trelawny Parish Council, about a half a mile from the two world-class cruise ship piers now under construction.

Uncertain about how they will benefit when the cruise ships start to come in, the vendors raised several questions they want answered.

"What we want to know is, are we going to be forgotten, or if the cruise ship passengers are going to be taken over that side (where the new market is) so we can get some a di business?" asked Sonia Thomas, a long-time vendor at the famed Falmouth Market.

"What is going to happen to us? ... 'cause we don't know what will happen when the ships (start to) come in," said another vendor, Angela Anderson.

Falmouth Mayor Collen Gager told The Gleaner that "the thinking right now" is that cruise ship passengers leaving the pier will not travel along Market Street, the site of the new market.

However, Gager stressed that a final decision has not been taken.

He was also quick to point out that this was not an attempt to avoid the vendors, adding that the Market Street area will be transformed into the new commercial hub.

"We have to realise that the town is changing ... so most of the commercial business will be down that area," said Gager.

Until then, however, the vendors complain that they are required to pay market fees to conduct business in a car park-turned-market that lacks basic amenities.

According to the vendors, the market has no electricity and their goods get damaged whenever it rains.

In addition, they complained that they are at the mercy of thieves who invade the market, especially during the popular 'Ben' Dung' market on Wednesdays.

Gager said with all the development coming to the town "you must expect that you will have a little time when you will be uncomfortable".

He also took a slap at the vendors, accusing them of making illegal electrical connections at the market, not paying the required fees and dumping their garbage in the market.

He sounded a warning that these practices would not be tolerated when the new market becomes operational.

Gager said all vendors will be screened before they are permitted to sell in the new market "and the bad debtors won't go.

"You have people who occupy shops and owe a lot of money, we have to leave those behind," he said.

"When you enter into this market you must be able to conform with all the rules and discipline ... none of the bad behaviour will be tolerated there."