GOVERNMENT has laid down the law concerning the Palmetto Square Vendors Mall, set to open at 7 a.m. today.
In a frank meeting with vendors yesterday in the City mall, Manager of Markets Henderson Greaves said there would be little tolerance for defaulters, unruly behaviour or illegal drugs.
“All those bad habits at the High Street Mall will finish at the High Street Mall.
“I don’t want these changing rooms crowded with any bags or merchandise. I don’t want anyone outside on the street. I don’t want you in the corridors blocking any other person.
“The bathrooms are supposed to be used as you would use them at home; the facility is like your house. You spend more than eight hours here, so I expect you to respect it that way,” Greaves said.
In addition, he said, there would be no disrespecting staff.
Some of the rules which were read to the assembled vendors included: restricting each vendor to his or her own stall space; not staying past the opening times without permission; complying with management; not subletting stalls without permission; not using any narcotics or psychotropics; and paying rents by a stipulated time.
The last rule referred to stated the weekly sum on or before the first working day of each week, and if anyone was in arrears longer than a month, they had an additional week to pay or face eviction.
Greaves also told the vendors that none of them would be allowed into the new mall with outstanding debts.
“No one will be accepted unless they pay all or half of any arrears. We are not going to put money on top of money,” Greaves said.
The Manager of Markets acknowledged the vendors’ concerns that revolved around heat, stall fees and allocation, promising he would go back to the ministry and have them reviewed.
Most of the vendors said they were satisfied with the proceedings.
However, one woman, who declined identification, said Greaves had broken his promise.
“It’s unfair. People who were here when it was an annex get shoved around. We should get first position pick and Greaves told us we would; but I’m all in the back,” she said.
