MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell says the decision to end vending in the May Pen Car Park in Mandeville was made from last year.

On Monday vendors there protested over what they argued was the unreasonableness of the Manchester Municipal Corporation in giving them notice to leave the facility without an alternative location.

In an 11-page response to a Jamaica Observer article published on Tuesday, Mitchell argued that the decision to remove the vendors is part of efforts to establish order in the Mandeville town centre and the adjoining taxi parks.

He pointed out that the May Pen Car Park is owned by the St Mark’s Anglican Church which is next to the car park.

“The property belongs to the church and is leased to the corporation, which has a contractual obligation to pay rent on a monthly basis. The facility is intended primarily to provide parking and transportation services for the benefit of taxi operators, commuters and the wider public,” Mitchell said in his statement.

He charged that commercial structures have been erected in the car park without authorisation from the municipal corporation.

“These structures have occupied valuable space, restricted parking and contributed to challenges involving the orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians. There have also been reports of disagreements and confrontations involving persons attempting to access parking spaces in the vicinity of these structures,” said Mitchell.

Some of the stalls set to be demolished in the May Pen Car Park in Mandeville, Manchester. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

The Mandeville town centre is a key hub for commuters travelling via public transportation between points east and west along the south coast with routes linking the major towns of Santa Cruz, May Pen, Junction and other areas.

In recent years Mandeville has been bursting at its seams with stakeholders calling for a remedy to traffic congestion. In December 2023 phase one of the Greater Mandeville Traffic Improvement System was implemented and plans are in place for the implementation of a second phase.

Travel time between Mandeville and the Corporate Area has also been reduced following the September 2023 opening of the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000, which has spurred increased business interest in the town.

Mitchell said the vendors in the May Pen Car Park were twice given notice to leave the facility.

“The corporation has a responsibility to ensure that a facility for which public resources are being expended is properly managed and utilised for its intended purpose. We fully support entrepreneurship and recognise that small businesses are essential to the economic vitality of Mandeville, however, that support must exist alongside respect for established rules, the rights of other citizens and the proper management of public facilities,” he said.

“The right to earn a livelihood is important, but so too is the right of every commuter, taxi operator and member of the public to access a safe, orderly and properly managed transportation facility,” added Mitchell.

The affected vendors have argued that it is unreasonable for the municipal corporation to evict them without providing a space for their relocation.

May Pen Car Park vendor Angela Johnson is among those upset over the decision of the municipal corporation to remove them without offering an alternative location for them to sell their goods. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

One of the vendors, Angela Johnson, told the Observer that the failure of the authorities to provide an alternative vending area was their main grouse.

“They don’t give us a location to go. They only came and told us we have to lift up without finding anywhere to put us. We wrote a letter to the CEO [of the municipal corporation Damion Chen] and Mr Mitchell asking for a meeting. We didn’t get any response. The only thing the CEO said is if we don’t move they are going to use municipal police and take us out of the park,” said Johnson.

In his statement to the Observer, Mitchell did not provide clarity on whether the vendors would be relocated but he underscored that the decision to remove the unauthorised structures was neither sudden nor made without prior notification.

“The affected vendors were formally issued notices in September 2025 requiring them to vacate the premises. A further notice was issued in October 2026, again advising them of the need to remove their structures and vacate the area. Despite these notifications, and the considerable time that has elapsed since the initial notice, the affected vendors have, as at November 10, 2026, not complied with the corporation’s directives and continue to occupy the premises,” said Mitchell.

He also acknowledged the unsanitary condition of a urinal in the May Pen Car Park and urged members of the public to use the sanitary conveniences available at the Cecil Charlton Park, Mandeville Market, and Santa Cruz Car Park.

“Unfortunately, this facility [May Pen Car Park] has experienced instances of improper use, including its use for purposes for which it was not designed, resulting in sanitation and maintenance challenges. While we acknowledge that the corporation has a responsibility to provide and maintain appropriate public conveniences, we also encourage members of the public to assist us in preserving these facilities through responsible use,” he said.

“At this time, our immediate priority is to improve the management, cleanliness and functionality of the existing sanitary facilities rather than undertake the construction of an additional bathroom at the church car park,” added Mitchell.