The government of Antigua and Barbuda is gearing up to launch a new “flea market” initiative in St. John’s, aimed at tackling the city’s clutter while ensuring local vendors continue to have a platform to sell their goods. Lionel Hurst, a cabinet spokesperson, emphasized that this project is about reorganizing, not removing, street vending.
Set to roll out in the near future, this flea market will centralize vendors into specific zones, notably around TN Kirnon School and along Old Parham Road. Drawing inspiration from North American market systems, the plan is to transition from the haphazard vending currently seen to a more structured and organized market environment.
A significant aspect of this initiative includes prohibiting vendors from setting up stalls in public areas, a move Hurst believes will enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal, making it more inviting for both locals and tourists. The objective is to harmonize economic activities with urban beautification, thereby boosting St. John’s as a more attractive destination.
As the government works on the final touches of this regulatory overhaul, the emphasis is on creating a synergy between the economic needs of local vendors and the city’s overarching development and visual enhancement goals.
