Over the years some of the stalls have become an eyesore to the area.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ron Pinder, was on site at the dock yesterday, helping scores of workmen discard old pieces of wood left over from the demolition of unacceptable buildings.
Vendors were also hard at work on Wednesday to put the final touches on their stalls in an effort to bring them into compliance with the Department of Environmental Health regulations.
One of the stall owners, Daphey Rahming, told The Bahama Journal that the clean up process was an expensive venture but said that the new look would help bring more business to the area.
“I am really impressed the way everyone is renovating their stalls. I think it was long overdue,” Ms. Rahming said.
Some of the items which vendors had to implement to bring their stalls up to standard included installing proper doors and windows with screens, tiling counter tops with a light coloured tile so that dirt can be easily detected, putting in grease traps, hood vents over stoves, tiled floors, running water and adding hurricane clips.
“It was an expensive venture but it’s more like an investment for the vendors. Customers can feel more secured knowing that they are eating in a clean, healthier, environment,” Ms. Rahming said.
Initially she said that many of the vendors complained about the new requirements because they felt it would put a dent in their pockets, and added that since vendors leased from the government many of them felt that it was the government’s obligation to have the renovations and the area cleaned.
“I disagreed with those vendors because we really needed a face lift down here and now finally we can compete with other restaurants because we offer a variety of amenities being next to the sea and we are in an open environment,” Ms. Rahming said.
Mr. Pinder said that at the end of the renovation cleanup campaign, tourists and Bahamians would be able to enjoy the popular site.
“We are seeking to significantly enhance and improve the facilities and the product that we offer here to the Bahamian public and to the visitors to our shores,” Mr. Pinder said.
“Over the years Potter’s Cay market has expanded and we now have any number of persons selling cooked food from many restaurant operations. And we are seeking now to bring them into compliance by securing the structure of their stalls as well as the general sanitation, maintenance and cleanliness of their stalls.”
Corporate Bahamas has also taken an interest in adding luster to that environment.
According to Mr. Pinder, Kerzner International has said that it would help in the beautification process by planting vegetation, trees and plants at Potter’s Cay.
The Ministry of Tourism will also assist in the venture by having vendors take part in the Bahama Host programme.
Mr. Pinder said that so far several stalls have been demolished and rebuilt, and many have undergone extensive renovations; however, he said there are still many who are refusing to improve their business environment.
“We have a number of vendors who are refusing to bring the quality of their product up to standard but they will no longer be allowed to operate from the Potter’s Cay area,” Mr. Pinder said.
Eleven vendors at the Potter’s Cay have already met the requirements of the Department of Environmental Health and have been granted a temporary liquor licence.
Mr. Pinder explained that the liquor licence is granted for a period of six months and during that time periodic inspections will take place to ensure that the vendors maintain the standards.
Vendors are being given a grace period of two months to bring stalls up to standard; however, after that deadline stalls that are not in compliance will face having their leases revoked by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
