Market kiosks are just ‘tanning booths’ — Commentator
The government’s brightly-painted and redesigned vending kiosks at the revamped Road Town Market Square have remained under-utilised for months since the market’s reopening.
Before its reopening earlier this year, the market square had previously been torn down for over two years after sustaining hurricane damage, causing vendors to be relocated to the nearby Virgin Islands Fire & Rescue Headquarters as a temporary staging area.
In February, the government cut the ribbon for a brand new facility for what it described back then as a signature project that was expected to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth.
With the new spaces unveiled, some critics have protested that the pricing for the kiosks is out of reach, particularly for small-scale farmers who may not have enough produce to meet the price range of $350 to $450 per month that was set by the government.
Communications and Works Minister, Kye Rymer, had also said that some kiosks could be had at affordable daily rates for persons who may perhaps not be regular vendors.
They’re just tanning booths
Now, one political commentator has referred to the spaces as ‘tanning booths’, suggesting that there is not enough shade for persons wishing to occupy the spaces.
“The market [kiosks] are tanning booths. You go in there and you get your tan and they charge you for it,” commentator Walwyn Brewley said on the Hot Seat radio show.
“Ain’t nobody looking to go in the hot sun for their skin to go peel off,” co-host Daniel Fligelstone Davies added. “…And have to pay for the privilege of having your skin peel off in that hot sun.”
Davies said this is the reason Caribbean marketplaces have traditionally been in places near the sea. According to Davies, the kiosks are not only pricy but are also in an area that does not have much foot traffic.
“I think it was done with the best of intentions, but I think that perhaps, the road to hell is also paved with good intentions,” Davies remarked.
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Just one of the many mistakes of whats his name. Thanks to the envelope and free cruise collectors. Set ah moomoo.
This is just more wastage by the rep for D5…This project need a thorough investigation because in no way the cost should be upwards of a million dollars.
It is an inefficient use of space. When you have little space you design differently. The old market even though not as attractive used the space with better efficiency and had better cover for shoppers
Who does really be advising these people? It’s supposed to be a local market not a vendors plaza for tourists.
awnings exist
It should have been one or two concrete buildings with shade for customers.
trees or awnings. problem solved.
“Davies said this is the reason Caribbean marketplaces have traditionally been in places near the sea.”
Really? Has he travelled very far? Most other Caribbean islands are large and have vast areas inland where markets are prevalent.
These “political commentators” just talk for talks sake without any real knowledge.
Excellent criticism and insight into this issue. Definitely need a fresh look and figure out how to solve the heat issue not only for the vendors but the patrons as well.
1. The government should lower the price to 150-200 a month for the first year. Then access how things are going and slowly increase from there.
2. Some of the smaller vendors should work together
3. This could be a good thing if they listen to the people….many cities have these and they flourish.
4. Many of us will go there to buy fresh home grown stuff, fish, bake goods etc..
5. It can work but the government have to listen and put the people they want to help in a position to succeed.
if you think the political leaders in this territory truly care about the people you are wrong because when last any one of the politicians stop by your house before the election them all over your property seeking your vote
the new road town market if it begins to rain no protection for the owners or their valuable items
my goodness we are in 2023 not back in the 1960
When I suggested that all that was needed was for the old building be refurbished, rebuild the roof, pressure wash and enhance the inside and repaint the iron rails which from my examination was still in tip top shape, I was labelled as one not wanting better for the BVI. All market vendors had to do was occupy a space in the market for a small daily fee.
But ohhh no, the Fahie government needed to find a way to channel some money to heaven knows where, and so they came up with this mess.
Have anyone ever seen the spaces fully occupied? Those who have been at the new kiosks for anything knows that neither vendor nor customers are protected from the sun or rain.
Pure embarrassment
Waste of space and money. All markets around the world are just a large open shed with shelves and water and facilities to go, see what you want, grab and pay and leave. Kiosks are not conducive for a marketplace, an open space with a roof and display….no vision equals……
Nothing is wrong with the market being where it is. Just that like all things people want the service free – and still be able to sell at exorbitant prices. there is a shed over each stall, running water, it’s a clean and sanitary place to display your items. fisherman dont want to go there – but they go over the road where the whole place stink and the fish dried up in the sun and people still go and buy. Coconut man go back the building across the road and pee and never wash his hand and gone holding the coconut you people buy. no complaints. Markets are supposed to be able to make a bit of money for the government. but No. BVI islanders want to use the facility for free. if the government stop all the roadside vending that would be good.
The hot sun is cooking the vegetables and fruits. It is not designed properly. Too many losses as the roof need to be curved lower. I don’t know why they didn’t build a complete shelter all in one with separate spaces. Pure lack of vision.
The sun is hitting inside for truth sake. I passed there at about 1pm and the sun is half way inside. It needs some cedar trees or some sort of shade.
@ TurtDove,
It is no way government is going to make back that money in 10 years. There is less visionary people,or those who have the vision keep quiet.
All that you mentioned Mr/ Mrs./ he/ she TurtleDove it had to be in their assessment and analysis report. So when 300+ price came to mind , the assessment report would have stated that this is what they should pay because most would walk away with thousands. But the bobo is now on the government,they cannot make a dine on those things,yes I call them things, rain fall you get wet, sun shine you get burnt. So, what! You now want with people to walk with umbrellas to shade in a house they rent.
Try selling ice to Eskimos, seems we will repeat ourselves,over and over. Kiosk,we can rent, houses, we can’t sell,road ,we continue to redo each year and the list goes on.OR is it the invoices generated double in some areas.
Why didn’t they just ask the vendors to be part of the solution. They know what they need. This design decision is right up there with traffic lights at the round-a-bout. We saw how that worked out.
You are one evil minded ba**ard. Would it be good if they stopped your livelihood or are you entitled.
Have to wait a further 4 yrs until this terrible project gets addressed.
Yet another example of poor planning leading to poor performance, not to metion wasted public monies again! Biggy Small comments above that upwards of a million was spent for how many stands? Picture shows about a dozen, so each fbuilt for about $80,000!. The stands look to be about 10×10. That means the building costs comeout to be about $800/square foot, not far off what it cost to build a nice house, but that includes doors, windows, plumbing, site prepaparation.
OK, say those costs are “acceptable”, how does the govt recoup that investment? $ 80k each at zero percent interest requires 19 years of monthly payments at $350, every month….
Doesn’t seem like we learned anything from the shacks built near the ferry dock for about $45 k each in the early 2,000s.
Indeed a signature project for continued incompetence and evidently a lack of desire to learn from previous mistakes.
Well said!
So now we ‘fraid sun”..
Pretentious set ah moo moo.
Ah set whose ancestors and they themselves walk miles in hot sun to go school ,to Church, till the soil and planted in hot sun…melanated by their maker to the nth degree for the hot sun survival and health benefits, straw hats as umbrella…what ah embarrassing set of idiotic sickly modern day Jack donkeys.
Agree, one open shed with slots allocated for each vendor. Both patrons and vendors would be in the shade from the elements of rain and sun. As it is right now, if the rain comes there is no awning in place for shelter except if you run inside the kiosk with the vendor. Same for the sun, no awnings in place. Even if the Government wanted to make kiosks at least design them with awnings. At this rate I can only suggest that the Government relook at the design and put some measures in place for either trees or awnings.
Must be a slow news day … BVI News got not one but two articles out of pointless radio talk show blather.
Ain’t no way we paying all that money for advisers and they coming up with those silly ideas for a market square. They should’ve built a building with different stalls sectioned off to poultry, meat, provisions, fish, etc. Couldve even put a 2nd and 3rd floor for commercial spaces for rent also. Our leaders got no visions or just being wilful.
This is not a pointless matter. It is one which warrants a serious audit.
Awnings and shutters .These beauties are like what I saw in St Thomas Needs more attention though.
A regular market like bf was very unsightly for that location