PM Warns Roadside Vendors to Improve Structures and Orderliness
Browne says vending standards must rise while acknowledging the importance of livelihoods.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has signalled stronger action against indiscriminate roadside vending, saying the appearance and organisation of vending areas must improve.
On the Browne and Browne Show, Browne criticised makeshift structures assembled from damaged building materials and said they were inconsistent with the image the country was seeking to present.
He said the government did not want to prevent people from earning a living, but expected vendors to operate in more orderly surroundings.
Browne suggested that tents could be used where operators could not afford a more permanent structure.
He linked the issue to tourism and national development, saying roadside conditions influenced the impressions of visitors and prospective investors.
The Prime Minister did not announce a specific relocation programme or deadline during that discussion, but indicated that tighter regulation and enforcement were being contemplated.
This story was first published by Antigua News on October 6, 2026: antigua.news/2026/10/06/pm-warns-roadside-vendors-to-improve-structures-and-orderliness. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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Comments (1)
Unfiltered View October 6, 2026, 11:51 AM
I agree that roadside vendors should be able to earn their livelihood, but there also needs to be a certain standard when it comes to cleanliness, safety and appearance. Hopefully, improvements can be made while still supporting the hardworking people who depend on vending to provide for their families, especially in these hard times.
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