Strict Guidelines says TEATT for Vending during Carnival 50

PHILIPSBURG—Persons interested in vending food along the Walter Nisbeth road during Carnival-50 in April this year, will have to adhere to strict guidelines as stipulated by the Department of Economic Licenses in the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication TEATT.

Minister of TEATT, the honourable Stuart Johnson said on Sunday, these guidelines are to ensure proper hygienic practices and to provide a uniformed and aesthetically acceptable look of the booths that will be installed along the island’s main road during the carnival celebrations.

Department Head Valya Pantophlet-Lake said persons interested in vending food, beverages, helium balloons and other typical items associated with carnival can now apply for these licenses at the Department of Economic Licenses located at the new Government Administration Building at the Economic Licenses customer counter (counter B).

The deadline for these applications to be submitted is April 1, 2019. The strict conditions for applicants to be accepted will be enforced throughout the carnival season. The cost for roadside vending is Naf.231. However, to achieve a uniformed look, each vendor must conform to a predefined design(s) of the vending structures. The design shows that each booth must be no larger than 4 X 4m (16m2). They can each be painted or decorated to the permit holder’s taste. All booths must be constructed off-site to prevent damage to underground cables in the area. Attaching items to nearby trees will not be permitted as this causes damage to the greenery in the area.

The areas identified for vending this year are, along the parking lot of the Walter Nisbeth Road between Ketty’s Kitchen and Fat Boy’s Grill, along with the parking lots on W.G. Buncamper Road, and along the pond side From NV GEBE until the LB Scott Sports Auditorium.

Food trucks are permitted but only along the Walter Nisbeth Road between NV GEBE and the LB Scott Sports Auditorium, and all structures and debris must be removed from the vending locations within 2 days after the closing of Carnival.

Permit holders will not be permitted to open past 12 midnight and music can be played from 5 pm until closing but cannot exceed a maximum of 75dB.

Lots will be given out to applicants on a first come, first serve basis. The department is, therefore, stressing that persons interested in street vending in the Philipsburg area submit their applications (and choose their vending location) early as space is limited. Lots will be selected after all required documents have been obtained and the processing fees paid. The Department will not be reserving spaces if full applications have not been submitted, no exceptions.

###