by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) – Vendors set to come out a week earlier than the St. Kitts National Carnival Committee initially proposed.
The St. Kitts National Carnival Committee (SKNNCC) met with registered Street Vendors on November 15, where the decision was made that vending will be permitted from December 16, 2023 to January 02, 2024.
According to a release from the SKNNCC, the decision was made in collaboration with representatives from various Government Ministries, including the Security Forces.
“Recognising Street Vendors as integral to Sugar Mas, the SKNNCC continues to view vendors as significant stakeholders. We understand the critical role that vendors play in enriching the Carnival experience for both locals and visitors.”
During the November 15 press conference, the Chair of the Carnival Committee, Shanon Hawley, mentioned that vendors would be operating in Central Basseterre during the last week of Carnival activities and explained why.
“Vendors will be situated in the Circus. Last year, our vendors started from December 18. This year, our vendors will be moved back to just that peak week where we have vendors set up between Christmas Day and Last Lap because we had a lot of complaints from businesses in the area last year with vendors just taking advantage of the situation.”
However, the Carnival Committee has given them an extra week following pushback from the registered vendors.
The statement from the committee also emphasised that Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Sports and the Creative Economy, understands the Street Vendors’ significance in the downtown area during Carnival being essential in maximising the economic benefit for local vendors during the Carnival.
Further updates regarding the opening of payment for booths and additional logistical details for Street Vendors and interested parties will be shared shortly.
