All is set for the relocation of the San Pedro artisan vendors from the Central Park to the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex parking lot. A meeting was held on Wednesday, January 6th between the vendors and the San Pedro Town Council to finalize details for the relocation. The big move will see up to 30 vendors benefiting from new facilities while adhering to new operating regulations. Vendors had up to Friday, January 15th to move from Central Park to the newly designated location or lose their Trade License. The facilities which the vendors will move to are just temporary, as the SPTC plans to further develop the area in the future.
At the meeting, Mayor Daniel Guerrero first addressed the artisan vendors before explaining the regulations that will be set into play and what will be expect from each vendors relocation to the temporary market area. “Our heart is with you, the vendors. We do not want to interfere with your form of income. But it has reached to a point that the Central Park has become too crowded and as such, this move had to be done. It is important that the vendors work together with the SPTC to make this relocation a success,” said Guerrero.
He explained that the SPTC has ensured that all booths are built to offer equal space to each vendor, that the area be electrified, that restrooms and running water be available, and that security will be present 24/7. “We hope that the vendors take this move as a positive. We want to improve the quality of service and products offered to visitors in San Pedro. We are asking everyone to cooperate with us, because the SPTC is going an extra mile to ensure that everything is set for the vendors to succeed,” said Guerrero. SPTC will be putting up several signs across the island to direct visitors to the new market area.
“The booths that have built right now are just temporary, until we can construct the wooden casitas. Each vendor will have their own casita where they can operate from. These casitas while be styled similarly to the vending establishments you see in other tourism markets across the world, in particular those in the Bahamas. They will be painted in tropical colors to enhance the beauty of the area,” explained Guerrero. Guerrero indicated that in the coming week, samples of the permanent vendor casitas will be available for presentation to the public.
As part of the new regulations, each artisan will have to sign a contract with the SPTC in order to obtain a Trade License and a booth in the new market area. Picture identification cards will also be issued to all vendors to further promote professionalism. “The artisans will be allowed to temporarily operate at the San Pedro Artisan Market Area on the parking lot of Honorable Louis “Cuz” Sylvester Sporting Complex under the San Pedro Artisans Market Operational Guideline (schedule 1) accepted by both parties. This agreement is valid for one year as of the date of signing and any additions, deletions or the like must be done in writing, signed by both parties and attached to this document,” indicated Jorge Aldana, Local Economic Development Officer at the SPTC.
The San Pedro Artisans Market Operational Guideline include 21 regulations that, if violated, may result in the artisan’s eviction, and/or the loss of their Trade License. The regulation include clauses on professionalism, proper attire, alcohol and drug use among others. The full guideline reads as follows:
1) The Official San Pedro Artisans Market will be situated in the parking lot of the Hon. Louis “Cuz” Sylvester Sporting Complex. It will be the only official area where artisans will be allowed to market their products/goods on Ambergris Caye. All artisans operating in public areas, including beaches, street sides and sidewalks will be relocated to the San Pedro Artisans Market in phases.
2) Only artisans with an official Trade License issued by The San Pedro Town Council will be allowed to operate in the new San Pedro Artisans Market.
3) A lease agreement MUST be signed between each artisan and the San Pedro Town Council. The agreement is valid from the date permission is granted to the 31st of December of each year. Lease agreement must be renewed no less than one month before the end of each year. Artisans with existing leases for a particular space will be given the first priority to renew their leases providing that their leases had not been cancelled under clauses 16, 17 and 18 of the Operational Guideline. The renewal of leases are NOT automatic.
4) A weekly fee of $50.00 (FIFTY) will be charged to each artisan for the use of their designated space. The fee MUST be paid on the last working day, before the start of each week.
5) The San Pedro Town Council will ensure that each artisan space is of equal size and is properly electrified.
6) All artisans will be given access to bathroom facility. No one will be allowed to urinate or defecate in or around the market area. Only artisans with official identification cards issued by The San Pedro Town Council will be allowed to use the bathroom free of cost. A fee of $1.00 will be charged for the use of the bathroom by members of the general public.
7) Each designated space will be allowed to have ONE fixed counter that will be installed by the San Pedro Town Council. No additional table (s) will be allowed.
8) The San Pedro Town Council is responsible for ensuring that garbage bins are installed and that garbage is collected in a timely manner.
9) Each artisan is responsible to ensure that their immediate area is clean at all times. In addition, at the end of each business day, all artisans must clean their immediate area.
10) The San Pedro Town Council is responsible for nightly security personnel at the San Pedro Artisans Market to ensure the safety and protection of the properties and facility of the artisans market. The San Pedro Town Council will not be responsible for any property/merchandise or products left at the market area.
11) An Artisan plus one helper will be allowed to operate from within each space. In addition, only one person can be in the designated space at any given time. The San Pedro Town Council will issue two official Identification Cards in the name of the person who the lease is issued to and their helper. Identification cards should be used at all time. If an Identification Card is lost or damaged, a processing fee of $5.00 (FIVE) will be charged for a replacement.
12) No artisan can sub-lease or sell any space designated to them by the San Pedro Town Council. Should an artisan cease to operate from within their designated area, whether wilfully or otherwise, The San Pedro Town Council reserve the right to re-lease the available space.
13) No addition, whether permanent or temporary (including tent, tables) will be allowed around, on or in the designated space. In addition no political paraphernalia will be allowed on any part of the structure granted to an artisan.
14) Before any modification can be made to any of the designated space by the artisan, the artisan MUST get the approval of the San Pedro Town Council. Modification includes but not limited to additional electrical outlets or lights, painting or placing of the business name on space designated to the artisan.
15) All artisans must maintain a level of professionalism at all times when conducting business with any tourist or visitor. Disrespectful remarks and the use of obscene languages while tourists are around will not be accepted.
16) NO UNATHORISED use or selling of alcohol will be allowed within the artisan market. Absolutely no drinking or artisan under the influence of alcohol will be allowed on the premises of the artisans market. Written warning will be issued upon the violation of clause 16. On the third warning following the start of his/her operation at the San Pedro Artisans Market, The San Pedro Town Council reserve the right to cancel the lease agreement immediately. In such case, the artisan will not be qualify for the renewal or consideration for future lease.
17) ABSOLUTELY no use, being in possession or trafficking of illicit substances will be allowed. The use, being in possession or trafficking of any form of illicit substances within the area is immediate grounds for eviction and termination of the lease agreement between the San Pedro Town Council and the artisan. The San Pedro Town Council will cancel the lease with any artisan if:
(i) Caught three times using, being in possession or trafficking of any form of illicit substances as of the start of his/her operation at the San Pedro Artisans Market.
(ii) He/She is charged and found guilty for being in possession of any illicit substances as of the start of his/her operation at the San Pedro Artisans Market.
(iii) Charged and found guilty of drugs trafficking in Belize as of the start of his/her operation at the San Pedro Artisans Market.
18) With the exception of clauses SIXTEEN (16) and SEVENTEEN (17) and its consequent terms, a warning letter will be served by the San Pedro Town Council to any artisan found in violation of the operational guidelines. On the third consecutive written warnings within a given year, The San Pedro Town Council reserves the right to terminate any lease agreement with any artisan.
19) Working hours for operation within the San Pedro Artisans Market is from 9AM to 9PM daily. If an artisan intends to work beyond 9PM on a given day, he/she MUST apply for an extension of opening hours at the market place.
20) All artisans must be properly attired and presentable.
21) At the end of each calendar year, The San Pedro Town Council, after consultation with the artisans, reserves the right to revise, change or modify the San Pedro Artisans Market Operational Guidelines.
