No vending in vicinity of Kingston Parish Church and front of South Parade car park as of Oct. 21

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) will implement new anti-vending measures in the vicinity of Kingston Parish Church and directly in front of the South Parade car park in downtown Kingston, effective Wednesday, October 21.

This is part of efforts to restore order and improve compliance with vending regulations.

Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Lorraine Dobson, made the announcement during the Corporation’s meeting at 24 Church Street in downtown Kingston, on Tuesday (October 13).

She said the measures follow engagements with vendors operating in the areas, including a meeting with the Mayor on September 9, during which photographs and videos were presented to illustrate concerns about vending in front of the church and arcade.

The engagement was followed by a walk-through of the South Parade area on September 11, during which the need to comply with the planned measures was reinforced.

Dobson noted that most, if not all, of the vendors operating in front of the church and arcade had reportedly rented vending spaces inside the arcade.

“However, rather than using those spaces for their intended purpose, these vendors reportedly store goods and other items while continuing to sell their merchandise on the streets,” she said.

“KSAMC Commercial Services Department can verify the rental arrangements, as the Corporation owns and operates the arcade and maintains a register of vendors who have rented spaces there. This information will assist in establishing the extent to which designated vending spaces are being underutilised while vending continues in areas where it is not permitted,” she added.

The Deputy Mayor said the Corporation’s enforcement team served notices on vendors on Monday (October 5), advising them that vending would no longer be permitted in the designated areas as of October 21.

She added that reminder notices have been served, while signs are to be erected on October 20 to inform vendors and members of the public of the no-vending areas.

As part of the enforcement measures, on Wednesday, October 21, the KSAMC will deploy 15 courtesy officers and two municipal officers to the areas to facilitate compliance with the notices and prevent vending and loitering in the vicinity of Kingston Parish Church and directly in front of the South Parade car park.

“These measures form part of the KSAMC’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the dignity and accessibility of our public spaces, and ensuring that designated vending areas are used for their intended purposes,” she said.

She emphasised that the Corporation’s approach includes direct engagement with vendors, the use of photographic and video evidence to demonstrate the concerns, the issuance of formal notices and advance communication about the enforcement measures.

“The objective is to restore order in the [affected] area, while ensuring that vendors receive clear notice of the requirement and a reasonable opportunity to comply,” she said.

The Deputy Mayor reaffirmed the KSAMC’s commitment to maintaining order in the affected areas and ensuring compliance with vending regulations.

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