PM Pierre Introduces Conditions for Vendor Relief After Earlier Assurances
Vendors displaced by the ongoing redevelopment of the Castries Vendor Arcade could soon receive financial relief, after Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre confirmed Tuesday that government is preparing a support package for operators affected by the controversial relocation exercise. The announcement comes amid mounting frustration from vendors who say the temporary move has disrupted business, […] The post PM Pierre Introduces Conditions for Vendor Relief After Earlier Assurances appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
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Vendors displaced by the ongoing redevelopment of the Castries Vendor Arcade could soon receive financial relief, after Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre confirmed Tuesday that government is preparing a support package for operators affected by the controversial relocation exercise.
The announcement comes amid mounting frustration from vendors who say the temporary move has disrupted business, reduced customer traffic, and created uncertainty over how they will survive during the construction phase.
Speaking Tuesday, Pierre revealed that government is still awaiting a detailed report from the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) before determining which vendors will qualify for assistance and how much support will be distributed.
According to the Prime Minister, the report will assess the number of vendors operating at the arcade, estimate losses in earnings caused by the relocation, and outline the level of rental arrears accumulated by some operators. He explained that the findings will help shape the framework for the planned payouts.
The redevelopment project, being undertaken under the Global Ports Holding (GPH) initiative, is part of wider efforts to modernize Castries and improve the capital’s tourism infrastructure. However, while officials continue promoting the long-term economic benefits of the project, vendors have raised concerns over the conditions at the temporary site, including complaints about inadequate restroom facilities and declining daily sales.
Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire also addressed the issue, stating that operational responsibility for the relocation process rests primarily with the CCC as landlord and GPH as developer. Nevertheless, Hilaire publicly supported the Prime Minister’s decision to provide assistance to displaced vendors.
Hilaire recalled previous discussions surrounding the redevelopment, noting that commitments had long been made to support vendors whose livelihoods were negatively impacted by the project. He also acknowledged that some vendors had previously benefited from government debt relief after accumulating arrears, while admitting that the move may have appeared unfair to operators who consistently paid rent on time.
Despite the growing backlash, Pierre maintained that government remains satisfied with the pace of the redevelopment works and is pushing to have the project completed as quickly as possible to minimize further disruption in the capital.
Further details regarding eligibility requirements, payment structures, and implementation timelines for the support package are expected to be announced in the coming days.
The post PM Pierre Introduces Conditions for Vendor Relief After Earlier Assurances appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
