Vendors were left in distressed on Friday morning when officers from the Development Control Authority (DCA), enforced a relocation order that was issued months ago to beach chairs and other vendors operating in the Jolly Harbour area.
The vendors revealed that the officials removed chairs and other structures that were erected by them, and displaced them at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground at North Sound for storage.
The vendors were subsequently told that they would have to reclaim their property at their own cost.
The vendors, who sell and/or rent beach chairs, souvenirs and food and beverage items during the tourist season, allege that the Special Economic Envoy for Antigua and Barbuda Calvin Ayre had been actively seeking to buyout several vendors in the area to make way for his restaurant and other business interests.
“They think that they can use their money to buy us out,” said 29-year-old Kailer Tonge.
The vendors claim that the duo of Calvin Ayre and Prime Minister Gaston Browne had already paid a few vendors for the spaces which they occupy at the beach.
“They paid one person $50,000 and another person $30,000 to move,” they alleged.
“So they realise now that they can try to do that with everybody, but we don’t want that. We want to stay where we’re at and make our bread… our honest dollar… we don’t want any easy money and we want to work hard for our money like we usually do every season.”
The vendors said that since Ayre acquired properties in Jolly Harbour, neither he nor his representatives have reached out to them.
In July of this year, the vendors were given two working days to remove all their belongings and seek permission from the relevant authorities for a suitable relocation site.
However, they were given an extension of that time following a meeting with Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez.
Earlier this year, the restaurant, allegedly owned by Ayre, implemented a policy whereby patrons would be able to make use of the beach amenities provided by the restaurant free of cost.
According to the vendors, they are not harassing or disturbing the restaurant guests in any way.
“The tourists love us and the vibes that we bring,” Tonge said.
“The tourists want more local stuff, they don’t want the ‘high-soci’ stuff,” she continued. “They want to be down to earth. They want the rum punch; they want everything local… local food and so on.”
They pointed out that not all of them necessarily share the same position or have the same resolve on the issue of the ongoing displacement.
“We have a few vendors who will stand up,” said Tonge, “but we need backing and we need to go the right way.”
Tonge added that after they had further discussions with DCA officials later in the day, both parties agreed that the vendors continue to ply their trade provided that they packed up their belongings and stored away from the beach at day’s end.
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Leave the people dem alone. The beach belong to everybody.
Vendors it’s a simple thing the new slave master and his yard boy don’t want you all on their beach. This is what you all voted for tek that in are you nenen. Booby Alley people and Vendors been moved by the same yard boy in the same week…..WOW!
“Yard boy”? Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise. Deep, deep envy, and covetousness is in the minds of the opposition followers.
You sound like you are from a shit hole country. Envious and covetous of what?. Hope you are not referring to members of the ALP government who will be buried with their ill gotten gains. The rest of us know that we can’t take it with us. Do you ever wonder why so many rich people and their children die young?
“@silly boy “Do you ever wonder why so many rich people and their children die young?” Your comment speaks volume. *thumbs Up*
KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR
You must remember time changes and things also change. You cannot expect things to remain the same from 30 years ago. We must move to BIGGER and BETTER things . As a Person who is on the radio four or 5 times weekly you should be more balanced. I heard your programme on Thursday night with Damani Tabor. Damani repeats the same thing over and over . I played your interview over the past weeks and this Guy repeats the exact words . What a shame. If I was the Leader of the UPP He would be fired.
@rupert mann it’s the beginning of our tourism season and you thing it was appropriate to stop our brother and sister’s bread an butter? Sometimes I wonder if we’re living in a communist country.
Exactly! Everything in general is about politics now a days..these people make their bread and butter doing this..they made a name for themselves a long time ago..there are some tourists that will go back to the same hotel and have built up a rapport with said vendors..some of these vendors are middle aged and you want them to move out cause time changes? Who exactly is moving to bigger and better things? Surely not those vendors
And by the way riddle me this..why is it that once you have a different opinion about something you get accused of being a UPP supporter or a ALP supporter? Can we not have an opinion of our own that has nothing to do about politics?
The Negative Comments usually come from the UPP and Their followers. Something just came to mind. Please take note of the following . The following is the UPP slate of Candidates to contest the next General Election. I hope Beef and Kentae of POINTE FM 99.1 will see this post and read it on Their program / show tomorrow evening.
The following is the UPP Slate of Candidates to contest the next General Election 2023.
HAROLD LOVELL
RICHARD LEWIS
SHAWN NICHOLAS
JAMAL PRINGLE
ALGERNON SERPENT WATTS
CLEON ATHILL
CHESTER HUGHES
RICHARD BURTON
DAMANI TABOR
CHARLESWORTH TABOR
PAUL QUINN
DRIFTWOOD
GLADYS POTTER
D.GISEL ISAAC
KEM STAR
FRANZ DEFREITAS
Anyone in Antigua will believe the above mentioned names can form a Government in Antigua ? Antiguans will never vote for these People . I believe the DNA will form a much better Opposition. Labour All the way.
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