May 11 deadline set to clear vendors from Cuffy Square

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) has set a May 11 deadline for the removal and relocation of vendors operating at a key city monument site, with immediate action to be taken against unauthorised sellers as they move to enforce previously announced plans.

The decision was taken at a statutory meeting on Monday, where Mayor Alfred Mentore said the council would move to remove vendors who were not part of the original engagement process while working to relocate a limited number of approved vendors to a designated area.

Concerns were raised during the meeting over the growing number of vendors at the location, congestion, and the impact on the site’s significance as a national and cultural landmark, prompting calls for urgent enforcement.

The municipality said all unauthorised vendors would be removed without delay, while preparations are ongoing to accommodate approved vendors, including the development of a designated space and supporting infrastructure.

The move follows earlier decisions by the Georgetown Mayor and city council in March of this year to clear vendors from around the Square of the Revolution, also known as the 1763 Monument or Cuffy Square, amid concerns about congestion and the impact on the site’s historical and cultural significance. Reports at the time indicated that vendors were to be served notices to vacate, with relocation options to be explored.

During the meeting, councillors expressed differing views on how the matter should be handled, with some calling for the immediate removal of all vendors from the site to protect the monument, while others urged a more measured approach, noting that many vendors depend on the area for their livelihood.

Mayor Mentore indicated that while enforcement would proceed, the council would also continue engagements with affected vendors to identify alternative arrangements where possible.