Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie says no vending will be allowed on downtown Kingston streets despite last Friday's scorching of parts of the Pearnel Charles Arcade.
He said 181 stalls were destroyed in two sections of the arcade during the fire on Church Street. About 80 vendors have been relocated elsewhere in the arcade, leaving another 20 to be placed.
"Those persons who cannot be accommodated at Pearnel Charles Arcade, if they so desire, we will relocate them at the Constant Spring Arcade," Mr. McKenzie told The Gleaner yesterday, adding that the KSAC would not accept the fire as an excuse for persons to sell on the streets.
"The fire at the arcade is not a licence for people to go back on the streets to sell," the mayor emphasised. "We will not be accommodating anybody on the streets."
Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie said repairs have started on the arcade. He also announced that vendors using the arcade should expect to foot some of the repair costs.
"Damage is going to run into millions of dollars," the mayor said. "The debt is not only going to be incurred by KSAC but by the higglers themselves."
