Acting PM Vetoes Minister Turner’s Efforts on Vending in St Johns

Published
Rawdon Turner overruled by Sir Steadroy Benjamin regarding vendors (file photo)

In a surprising turn of events, vendors operating near the V.C. Bird Bust, the Fisheries Complex, and Lower St. John’s City have been granted permission to continue their operations.

Acting Prime Minister Steadroy Benjamin made this announcement on Wednesday, overriding a decision made by Minister Rawdon Turner.

The St John’s Development Corporation had previously announced that starting April 17, 2025, all vending operations would need to relocate to designated areas within the vegetable section of the Public Market Complex.

This complex, which consists of both northern and southern sections, has a total of ninety available spots for vendors.

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In a notice signed by City Manager Carolyn Thomas-Parker, it was made clear that vending would no longer be permitted in popular areas such as the V.C. Bird Bust and Heroes Park, as well as the Fisheries Complex and Lower St. John’s City.

Additionally, sidewalk vending was declared strictly prohibited.

However, Acting Prime Minister Benjamin’s veto of this decision allows the current vendors to maintain their positions, setting the stage for ongoing discussions about the future of vending in these key areas.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/04/16/acting-pm-vetoes-minister-turners-efforts-on-vending-in-st-johns. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (15)

  • ActingPM April 16, 2025, 4:06 PM

    Hahahahha. Antigua.news you guys are on a roll today. Turner needs to leave these big boys play their games. Step aside small fry. Gaston is cutie and cutie is Gaston. I always wondered why Chet never acted as PM when Gaston is not available. Ahhh maybe it’s a nothing
    Reply
    • Devorn Carter April 16, 2025, 4:22 PM

      Ha. Cutie might have to be the one to step aside. Remember Rawdon is coming up right behind the big dog!! Bare in mind this is Gaston’s Yard, Cutie is only the gate man and Rawdon might just be coming in with escort.
      Reply
    • TC April 16, 2025, 4:59 PM

      Imagine that eh!
      Reply
  • Luka Johnson April 16, 2025, 4:21 PM

    Alright, now salespeople can work with peace of mind.
    Reply
    • Unruly One April 16, 2025, 11:15 PM

      Look ah drama in this likkle Antigua yah!
      Reply
  • Rhea April 16, 2025, 4:24 PM

    Cutie be smiling when Gaston is not here. Trying to show Rawdon that you’re some kind of top dog? you’re only a blob sir. so calm down and allow World Boss Jr. do what the World Boss give him to do!
    Reply
  • Food4thought April 16, 2025, 4:25 PM

    Rawdon go siddung!!! Now that you know who’s boss just lap ya tail and siddung dey.
    Reply
  • Antigua Surf April 16, 2025, 4:27 PM

    Due time until someone pops cutie like a ballon. Rawdon make a move and you try to play you’re the bigger guy? Glad Gaston took a flight? Enjoy, cause it might as well be your last as acting PM. Remember Rawdon is next in line. And that’s for all the Candidates who’s spreading hate to this young man
    Reply
  • Warren April 16, 2025, 4:29 PM

    So turner makes a decision and cutie just go and turn iy over jussso? That’s not comradery…but Turner will learn who dem be. Cutie trying to secure another win for st johns. Turner focus on Parham. Leave the town boys alone
    Reply
  • janice April 16, 2025, 6:35 PM

    It’s the photo for me.
    Reply
  • Juju Bee April 16, 2025, 7:14 PM

    Ok look confusion start. Ah you need Fu on the same page
    Reply
  • Teacher for Life April 17, 2025, 8:27 AM

    Just because cutie looks like he never takes walks doesn’t mean that we don’t and we want to be able to do it safely. The way these vendors are set up makes that impossible. Not only that, but the area is unsightly and stink so allow the young man to clean it up unless stink and dirty is how you want the world to view us as a nation cutie. There is an allocated space for vendors in around the market so let them go use it and stop the lawlessness and confusion.
    Reply
  • Stone April 17, 2025, 11:09 AM

    Wa dis be another all fools day? Because only a fool, of which there are many in this government, unfortunately that would allow these venders to continue blocking and hindering traffic and pedistrians on such a busy street
    Reply
  • Hallelujah Amen April 18, 2025, 8:57 AM

    Here we go again how the present ABLP are not patriotic.
    Its all about maintaining the non-natives support at the ballot box.
    I could remember back in 1995 the then ALP Prime minister Lester Bird ordered then 95% native Antiguans vendors off the streets of St. John’s.
    Now in 2025 all been replaced by non-natives and now ABLP giving them full support.
    I could remember during the covid19 pandemic a Serian friend of mine told me it’s them and the other non natives control Antigua.
    This been shown over and over again
    😂😡😴
    Reply
  • Anonymous May 19, 2025, 7:53 PM

    ANTIGUANS ARE TRIE IDIOTS….. CAN’T WORK TOGETHER FOR SH#T
    Reply

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