MP, mayor want new market for Highgate
Published:Saturday | November 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer
HIGHGATE, St Mary:
REHABILITATION OF the Highgate Market last December has done little to improve its appeal in the eyes of Dr Morais Guy, member of parliament (MP) for Central St Mary.
"My view is that it should just be mashed down and be rebuilt, but where the funding is going to come from is another thing," he told The Gleaner recently.
Continuing, he said: "My view is that the aesthetics of the market are undesirable. It does not lend itself to the centre of a bustling town. We need a new market in Highgate. As to whether it ought to remain there, that is up for discussion, but whatever it is, the market cannot remain as it is now."
In addition to a leaking roof, the issues of inadequate ventilation, poor lighting, and congestion have combined to make the facility less than ideal for the sale of food items.
According to Richard Creary, mayor of Port Maria, the roof was damaged during a freak storm. He admitted that more work was needed and would be done over time.
Busy town
However, for Guy, in addition to the market being an eyesore, the location of the facility is one of the factors contributing to the traffic congestion in the busy town. He thinks Highgate deserves a new market, sited elsewhere. In fact, he supports the St Mary Parish Council's plans for a new market in the capital, Port Maria, which would cater less to food vendors and offer a wider variety of items for sale.
"This Mexican concept that was mooted years ago is something that needs to be followed through. I would support such a concept as Highgate needs something like that."
A major concern for the MP, who is a medical doctor by profession, is the contrast between the dilapidated structure and recent efforts to improve the facilities in the area.
"When you think that near to the market you have a lovely health centre, across the road you have a first-class early childhood institution, just recently completed; when you think about the fact that within certain parts of the one-street town of Highgate, people are making an effort to make their buildings look good and generally improve the physical aesthetics of the town, and this ugly eyesore is just there!"