Minister Gibson-Velox calls for balance on Kingstown vending 

By Val Matthias. Updated 6:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The livelihoods of Kingstown’s street vendors must be considered as the government looks at how vending should be managed in the capital, says Minister responsible for Local Government and Labour Laverne Gibson-Velox.

Gibson-Velox via a video posted on the Agency for Public Information’s (API) Facebook page on Monday September 14, says street vending serves an important purpose by providing a livelihood for vendors while giving consumers access to quick and convenient purchases. But she acknowledges that vending is also a source of concern for many members of the public who believe it is an unwelcome nuisance and should be removed. The Minister says government therefore has to find a workable balance between thecompeting interests.

Her comments follow the Kingstown Town Board’s decision to temporarily halt a restriction on street vending in parts of the capital.

The Board announced on September 10 that vending would be prohibited along Bedford Street, Bay Street and surrounding sidewalks from September 12. But on September 11, the Board stayed the implementation of the restriction to allow for further consultation and engagement with affected stakeholders. 

Gibson-Velox says the government’s decision to support the halt reflects its attention to the concerns raised by vendors and the wider public. She also points to the three market locations already provided in Kingstown at significant cost.

However, she says the fact that those facilities are only partially utilised suggests that many vendors do not consider them suitable for their designated purpose. The Minister says the vending issue must now be considered as part of a wider effort to rethink Kingstown. She says the government intends to strengthen public engagement on the future of the capital, including its conditions, appearance and operations.

Members of the public are being encouraged to submit ideas and suggestions to the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Local Government, Minister Andrew John, whose team is already working on a beautification plan for parts of Kingstown. 

Gibson-Velox says citizens are stakeholders in the future of Kingstown and should have an input in finding an amicable solution to improving the city’s aesthetic value. 

For now, the government’s position is that the vending question cannot be considered only in terms of removing vendors from the streets. It must also take into account the people who depend on vending to earn a living and the consumers who rely on the service.

The Minister says those competing interests will form part of the wider conversation about the future of Kingstown.

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About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]