Mayor Mentore Reaffirms Vendor Support Amid Stabroek Square Beautification Dispute

Georgetown’s ongoing beautification of Stabroek Square and the Central Business District has reignited debate over the treatment of street vendors, highlighting the tension between urban development and the livelihoods of small businesses. Mayor Alfred Mentore addressed these concerns on Friday, reiterating the City Council’s commitment to protecting vendors while improving the city’s commercial hub.

“We have always been mindful of the role our vendors play in our city’s economy and in the daily lives of our citizens. We have always empathized with their situation and remain committed to supporting their livelihoods,” Mayor Mentore said.

He recalled his personal intervention during last year’s holiday season, when he successfully negotiated extensions with business owners who had secured court injunctions requiring the removal of vendors. “That action was taken because I believe in finding fair and practical solutions that allow our vendors to continue earning while respecting the rule of law,” he explained.

The Mayor emphasised that the current beautification initiative, undertaken with the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and other state agencies, is designed to enhance the environment without displacing vendors. “Let me be absolutely clear:no vendor will be displaced or removed as part of this project. As a Council, we are aware of all the persons vending in these environs and have taken note by listing their names to ensure their non-displacement. This, my dear citizens, is to reaffirm my deep commitment to you as your Mayor,” he stated.

Acknowledging lapses in communication, Mayor Mentore admitted that stronger coordination between the Ministry, the contracting entity, and the City Council was needed. “I guess all involved would have learnt from this experience this morning and will immediately take concrete steps to strengthen and improve our communication channels with the vending community in the future,” he said.

Mayor Mentore concluded with an invitation for collaboration: “I encourage every vendor to work with us. Let us join hands with the Council and our partner agencies as we transform Georgetown into a cleaner, safer, more beautiful, and more prosperous City — one that benefits residents, visitors, businesses, and vendors alike.”

Yet concerns persist. Longtime People’s National Congress member and former parliamentarian Lurlene Nestor criticised the Ministry’s approach, accusing officials of misleading vendors. “The minister walked the streets, cozy up with the vendors then, in a clandestine fashion pulled the survival rug from under their feet! This is what hoodwink looks like, this is what disrespect looks like, this is what taking people for granted looks like,” she wrote. Nestor also questioned whether the City Council had surrendered its legal authority to the national government and called for meaningful consultations to ensure vendors are informed and heard.

The controversy underscores the delicate balance between urban development and the economic security of Georgetown’s small business community. While Mayor Mentore stresses collaboration and protection for vendors, critics argue that past miscommunications and opaque processes have fueled mistrust, highlighting the need for transparent engagement moving forward.