Street Vendors, Stifling or Revitalizing the -CBD?,

“Informal employment has been a significant feature of the Caribbean labour markets especially in Guyana, Jamaica and to a lesser extent, T&T.” - Franklin

The slowing down of Caribbean economies has resulted in the slow growth and decline in formal sector employment in 2009.  This decline has brought with it growth in the number of self-employed persons associated with the increase in small and micro-enterprises and also the informal sector  (Franklin 2010)

Street vending is an old practice in cities all over the world. Street vending can be defined as an "income generating activity where individuals sell their wares along streets and sidewalks to passing pedestrians. Street vending is one activity within the informal economy, the segment of a country’s economy that operates outside the regulation and protection of the state." (Kamunyori, 2007)

The Current Situation

In San Fernando the central business district is in the city centre and along the major roadways. Cipero Street, Coffee Street, Royal Road, and Mucurapo Street. (UN Habitat 2012) High Street is the MAIN shopping district. 
Street vending  can be seen as a way of fighting poverty. It is a viable option for many poor households in which the government is unable to properly intervene. 
In San Fernando informal businessmen (street vendors) is a big issue. It not only affects the free flow of pedestrians on the sidewalks but also obstructs the formal businesses. Although street vending is done so openly and is widely accepted it is an illegal act. 

Street vending selling on the sidewalks and on the street
Photo taken by Rachel Cadogan on -
04-02-15

Street vendors have set up their tables both on the sidewalk and on parts of the road on High Street in San Fernando selling clothes and many other items

Because it is illegal, police offices would on occasion confiscate the goods of these vendors but they are usually left unchecked, except around the Christmas period when the Business Association of San Fernando has a problem.

 A police officer leaves with a box of items seized from street vendors
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Some argue that street vending does more harm than good.It in fact leads to obstructed sidewalks  causing pedestrian congestion, forcing crowds out into the street creating serious traffic situations. Businessmen argue that it creates unfair competition and reduced quality of life through pollution of public spaces. (Urban ethics and theory 2010). Street vendors are noted for either erecting structures, which do not by any means conform to building codes, or zoning regulations ( Girma 2009)
During the Christmas season of 2013,  stores suffered a 30 per cent decrease in sales, 10 percent more than expected. According to the Fernando Business Association president, "whatever is available in the stores is available outside on the streets, so it is easy buying." customers never come in, also shoppers who would usually come to the city to buy things would find it very congested and would not want to enter the city and end up shopping in other nodes such as Gulf City. (Guardian, 2013) 

Benefits of Street Vending

Researchers also identify some advantages of street vending as being a venue for affordable products and services for low-income residents, income opportunities for immigrants and lower-income residents seeking employment, and increased foot traffic that contributes to “the revitalization of the community’s street life.” (Urban ethics and theory 2010)

Bibliography 

Felmine k. 2013, December 25) Sando businesses being strangled by street vendors. Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved on March 24 2015 from https://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-12-26/sando-businesses-being-strangled-street-vendors


Franklin M (2010). Facilitating informal sector traders in the Caribbean: the case of Guyana, Dominica and Jamaica. Retrieved on March 24 2015 from https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1007004980373114007#editor/target=post;postID=4356927630975378498

Girma Y, 2009. Challenges and Prospects of Street Vending in Addis Ababa. Retrieved on March 24 2015 from http://www.academia.edu/6012426/Challenges_and_Prospects_of_Street_Vending_in_Addis_Ababa

Scolding for street vendors. Trinidad and Tobago Express. Retrieved on March 24 March 2015

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