Mixed reactions to tent city relocation to Crafts Alive
On Monday, April 2, 2012, the Minister hosted a meeting to reveal his Government’s strategic plans to improve the Territory’s tourism product.
The Crafts Alive Village currently consists of four buildings, 23 vending spaces and rest room facilities, however, the revamping of the area would see some five new buildings added, five additions to existing buildings, 39 new vendors' spaces created, additional rest rooms, an amphitheatre with stage for cultural performances and an exhibition area for fishermen, who would be engaged in displaying how fishes and lobsters are caught among other traditional fishing methods.
However, now that the information has been digested by some vendors, concerns are now being raised.
Virgin Islands News Online visited Crafts Alive yesterday April 16, 2012 and spoke with several of the vendors, who have been there since the village was opened in 2001. Wishing to remain anonymous, one vendor told this news agency that she is sceptical of how the pricing will impact her and others who pay rent for their booths when the tent city vendors arrive.
“I will be honest with you, when tourists come into my booth and I tell them what is the price for an item, most times they don’t buy it because it’s cheaper at the cruiseship pier. That is something that will have to be ironed out before they come here...we will have to get the prices right.”
Meanwhile, vendor #2 finds it interesting that with such a small space already existing, the grand plans of the Minister will be a tight squeeze, “I want to know if they are magicians to have all of that in such a small area.”
But another vendor is optimistic that the arrival of her new competitors will up the ante in competitiveness regarding the quality of items being sold and the quality of customer service. “I have already begun to focus more on local artefacts and clothing....I want to have an edge over them.”
From observation, most of the items sold at Crafts Alive are practically the same, which the vendors who spoke to this news agency stated will be a challenge. “So with an additional 39 coming here, it will all boil down to who is selling it the cheapest,” vendor #4 pointed out.
However, two are of the view that the move is one that was long overdue. “It is an eyesore with all of those stained tents there. So I don’t mind them coming here,” another vendor said with a smile. “The tourists will enjoy the ambience here in Crafts Alive with all the new amenities Government has planned.”
The two lone tent city vendors this news agency’s reporter spotted expressed their concern that more than 39 vendors are usually there during the peak season and are worried that some vendors will be left in the cold. “I know the Minister said at the meeting that persons who have been there before, who are licensed to be there will be the first priority...but what about those who are not licensed and depend on this trade for a little income. Now that is the question.”
Former 4th District Representative, Dr. Vincent Scatliffe also weighed in on the issue and acknowledged that removing the vendors from the cruiseship pier was a wise decision. However, relocating them to Crafts Alive is a bit dicey.
“The health and safety of the tourists and vendors have to be assessed...the quality of product and service will be compromised because of the space allocation. You have to understand that tourists want to experience a comfortable shopping experience,” he added.
His sentiments were echoed by Courtney deCastro, a talk show host and architect. According to deCastro, the plan for Crafts Alive “could be thought out a little bit more.”
“I mean the traffic will be congested, both human and vehicular. Therefore, space will be critical to the success of the project,” he further stated.
This news agency could not ascertain the views of the proprietors of Maria’s By The Sea on the impact the development would have on their establishment.
According to architect Aveline Potter of A R Potter & Associates Ltd, the focus of the site design is to provide a pleasant pedestrian shopping environment; make provisions for transitory and gathering space in order to facilitate reasonable crowd; and provide an outdoor amphitheatre to facilitate band performances and cultural presentations.
The revitalisation of Crafts Alive, is a joint initiative by the Premier’s Office and the Ministry of Communications and Works, and the relocation effort is expected to be completed in time for the 2012-2013 tourist season.
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