Digicel Donates Umbrellas to Vendors in Montego Bay

Vendors, who ply their wares in the Gun Court section of Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, have benefitted from a donation of large outdoor umbrellas from the Digicel Foundation.

The 50 red Digicel-branded umbrellas were handed over to Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Parish Council, Councillor Charles Sinclair, on Friday (March 16), at a ceremony held at the market. The umbrellas will provide cover from sun and rain and so enhance the comfort of the vendors.

Addressing the handing over ceremony, Mayor Sinclair noted that following recent rehabilitation work by the Parish Council “it was quickly realized that short-term measures had to be put in place to include increasing the comfort of these vendors”.

“There are a number of things that must be done for this market to operate effectively and while we make improvements to the facility, your comfort is a concern (and) we are therefore pleased that the Digicel Foundation is supporting our thrust to improve this space, which is of importance to all,” Mayor Sinclair said.

He urged the vendors to keep the umbrellas clean and safe, and use them to improve the aesthetics of the market.

Regional Manager of the Digicel Foundation, Joy Clarke, who handed over the items, spoke of the foundation’s proud history of assistance to the St. James Parish Council to improve conditions across the parish and especially within the tourist capital of Montego Bay.

“Digicel wanted to make an appropriate contribution to the Parish Council’s efforts to renovate sections of the Charles Gordon Market.  The Foundation, therefore, envisioned that the provision of the umbrellas would assist in adding comfort to the daily activities of these many vendors and also greatly enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the market,” Ms. Clarke said.

Manager of the Charles Gordon Market, Serriow McIntosh, commended Digicel for its assistance to the Parish Council and the vendors.

The St. James Parish Council initially carried out repair works at the Charles Gordon Market between February and May of 2011, with the creation of an entrance at the foremost building facing Fustic Road, the removal of old, defective stalls and repairs to the roof of the market’s main building.

Approximately $2.8 million was spent on renovating the Gun Court area in September and October, with the removal of make-shift stalls, shacks and other debris, after which patching and asphalting of the greater percentage of the market area was carried out.

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter