New-look Jubilee commercial space excites vendors

Vendors at the newly opened Jubilee Commercial Centre in downtown Kingston are breathing a sigh of relief as they no longer have to be constantly on the run from the authorities.

Earlier this week, 40 vendors were relocated from the streets of downtown Kingston into the freshly renovated centre, formerly known as Jubilee Market. The move, led by Kingston's Mayor Andrew Swaby, marks a new chapter for many vendors who have long operated under the threat of their goods being taken or stalls dismantled.

"You know how much years mi a run from Metro? Mi can stop run from Metro now," one vendor said. For many, the new facility offers a sense of comfort and stability that was previously out of reach.

"I feel good as this is a better situation, because when the rain a fall, we haffi a put up plastic and umbrella so we nuh get wet. When we done put up wi tired most time. So with the new space, it's good that I can put out all my things and sit down comfortable and my customer can come and view," another vendor shared.

Vendors like Iacynth, who has been selling downtown for more than 20 years, sees the move as an opportunity for growth.

"By next week we should be fully moved in, but we a gwaan sell until then. This is like another opportunity to uplift myself." Despite the enthusiasm, there's an undercurrent of fear among the vendors, particularly about the risk of fire. The old Jubilee Market has a tragic history, with some vendors being burned out more than once.

"Mi nuh fraid a security problems, I am worried about fire because a two time mi encounter burnout. I was here years ago when it burn out two times and we never get anything for it. Me nuh plan fi leave my things here, not now, but I will trust God and believe in him to make a way for us," said one vendor. The threat of extortion also weighs heavily on some of the vendors' minds. Swaby noted the old market's history, but highlighted the collaboration of the Urban Development Corporation and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) to bring it to this stage.

"Don't make it run down. What we try to do, we try to change the name to show that it's a business centre or a commercial centre. Because you are no less of a business person or the person in the big company. You just don't have that money," he said.

Vendors are required to sign a lease agreement with the KSAMC and connect their utilities through Jamaica Public Service. He also cautioned against vendors subletting their spaces or returning to street vending.