The president of the Vendors’ Association at Constant Spring Arcade, Carlene Spencer, says she welcomes an increase in vendors’ fees should one be implemented by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) once the extra revenue is used to fund much‑needed upgrades to the arcade.

“I’m okay with the increase, I welcome an increase— Because of changes, because we get two brand new bathrooms,” she said, speaking during a consultation meeting and reopening of refurbished bathrooms at the facility on Friday.

The president said the arcade needs running water and a car park to make the vendors more comfortable in the space, but also acknowledged that the cost of living is now much higher.

“As the mayor said, the overhead here is more than what they are collecting, and we can understand that… We were here preparing to hear [that] we are going to have to pay more. As for me, I am anticipating that,” she said.

“Things and time change. So if we have to pay more, we pay more.  Because we need running water, we need a parking lot,” she added

Spencer praised the forum, which she said gave the vendors an opportunity to share their concerns. She also expressed thanks for the refurbished bathroom.

“Our bathroom was in a deplorable condition. I was the one who was taking it on, and then he decided, he promised us that, listen up, I am going to fix [it]. And he fixed the first one…and the second one came. And trust me, it is progress,” she said.

Spencer noted that some vendors were holding on to shops that they no longer use.

“They just aren’t selling, things are slow— and they just feel better to stay home [but they are not giving it up.) You have people who really need shops. People who want to do business and they just cannot get a place in here.”

She also urged her fellow vendors to pay their rent for their spaces on time.