More bikinis than bananas! Critics say RT
The renovated market square The Road Town Market, redeveloped at a cost of more than $1 million and launched with promises of becoming a cultural and agricultural hub, is drawing sharp criticism f...
The renovated market square The Road Town Market, redeveloped at a cost of more than $1 million and launched with promises of becoming a cultural and agricultural hub, is drawing sharp criticism for being underused and straying from its intended purpose. Political commentator Claude Skelton Cline has questioned the direction of the project. “Every time I drive by now, I see more brasieres than potatoes.
I see more bikinis than bananas,” he said while arguing that the facility was not being used to showcase local produce. He added, “I thought that the Market Square would be a place, a cultural venue, where we can house the products of the country, the food provisions, get fresh, organic items, as much as we can.
And it will be a bustling place, space, if not every day, at least three — Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays — out of the week”. Market vision versus reality The Road Town Market reopened in early 2023 after a major redevelopment intended to provide a modernised space for farmers, craft vendors and cultural activities.
Officials said at the time that the redesign was meant to support local agriculture and tourism by giving residents and visitors a central hub for fresh produce and handmade goods. However, reports and observations since its opening show many stalls occupied by vendors selling clothing and imported goods rather than agricultural produce.
Farmers have instead chosen to sell their crops along the highway or near the fire station, leaving the market square with few food vendors. Skelton Cline argued that the lack of organisation had led to disorder. “The country needs organising. The spaces and the places we occupy need to be properly organised.
City Manager defends approach City Manager Janice Brathwaite defended the current mix of vendors, noting that the project was meant to create opportunities for different groups, not only farmers. She explained that the City of Road Town was working to balance various needs while encouraging more farmers to use the facility. “It is serving the purpose that it was built to serve,” Brathwaite said. “As it relates to the vendors in that market, we have to be mindful of the fact that we did have some long-term vendors, but what we were seeing developing is the same situation as we had at Crafts Alive,” Brathwaite explained. “You have people who were there three, four months and were already in arrears.
And we can't afford to operate like that any longer.” She added that after being informed of the need to be punctual with rental payments, vendors opted not to continue occupying the spaces. Call for order Meanwhile, Skelton Cline urged leaders to step in. “We need to hear from the minister for this subject.
We need to hear from the member of the 4th District. Why is this part of our city in the condition that it’s in?” he asked. He said residents should not have to settle for a market space that fails to meet its vision. “When you see more brasieres than potatoes and more bikinis than bananas in a market that is supposed to be the venue for provisioning, you gotta chuckle to keep from crying because you don’t understand what’s going on anymore,” he added.
Primary source: BVI News