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BARVEN expects new market will be ready by next year

by Barbados Today
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Progress on the Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors, and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN)’s “upscale” vendors’ market is expected to be made early next year following delays brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In early May, local vendors took up occupancy in the 72 stalls on the Mighty Grynner Highway, in anticipation of a permanent ‘outdoor’ structure that was supposed to start being constructed later this year. During a press conference on Monday afternoon, BARVEN President Allister Alexander acknowledged that so far, this goal has not materialized.

“Everything is not in place as it should be, but we are having a great time, and we expect that Barbados will see something phenomenal from its entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well here, and we are looking forward to the real market. We have already submitted plans to the Government and we expected to roll it out this year,” Alexander told a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“But under the present circumstances, we can see that that will likely not happen this year, but we expect that there will be a start early next year of the real facility there on the highway…There will be an upscale facility. What we have right now is temporary,” he assured.

The upbeat president disclosed that plans for the outdoor market would prevent it from falling prey to many of the issues that have befallen other markets that were designed and constructed by past governments.

“We have articles that would tell you that we predicted the problems that Cheapside would have and we are telling the governments, planners and policymakers [so] that we do not repeat these mistakes.

“We are the ones who influenced the outdoor nature of the Fairchild Street market… We are very clear on the types of markets that we want to develop in Barbados,” the BARVEN President stressed.

Despite the setbacks, Alexander revealed that the organisation has partnered with the Transport Board for the creation of a service that will move people from central Bridgetown to the Mighty Grynner Highway, where the temporary facility is open for business on Saturdays.

Transport Board Operations Manager Gena Boyce expressed her “delight” at the venture aimed at facilitating the further enfranchisement of vendors.

“Transportation is the life blood of any successful business, making sure you can get your customers to you. We were happy to provide what we call the BARVEN shuttle to leave from the Fairchild Street Terminal, to pass through the Princess Alice Terminal and then on to the Mighty Grynner Highway

“This bus service starts at 6 a.m. and leaves at 20 past the hour on the hour… all the way unto our last service on the highway, which is at 4:20 p.m. and we believe based on these hours and times, that we can provide the regular service needed for persons to get fresh fruits and vegetables from this area,” she added.

The vendors’ group also released plans for an ambitious programme at the temporary market that will be rolled out on November 28th.

Programme Development Officer Richard Scantlebury told reporters that the ambitious plan would present a “community market extravaganza” that would facilitate vendors from across the country. On the heels of this year’s Independence, the project will showcase numerous locally made crafts, snacks, condiments etc., along with locally prepared foods, cultural displays and other forms of entertainment.

“We will also be recognising certain entities as resource partners including the 4H Club, the Diabetic Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Red Cross Society of Barbados, and the Soil Conservation Unit,” he disclosed. (kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)

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