Vendors in Limbe Central Business District have expressed worry with exorbitant monthly rental charges they are required to pay to shop owners , a development they say is greatly compromising growth of their businesses.
Chairperson for the vendors, James Willie has told Nyasatimes that most vendors are finding it tough to pay 200 thousand kwacha monthly which is a minimum charge they are to contribute for the rentals.
“Small-scale traders, who can’t afford paying the amount, are being pushed to the fringes, compromising their businesses and safety”, said Willie calling on property owners to build more affordable shops as a solution to the challenge.
He therefore commended Pacific Limited for constructing Pacific Tower right in the middle of Limbe which has accommodated a good number of vendors at relatively cheaper prices.
Pacific Limited’s estates manager, Grant Chimenya explained that their six-storey building is dedicated to supporting small businesses, with half of the 900 rooms allocated to them.
“We even have a free market space where vendors can display goods for as low as K1,500 per day,”. He further requests BT city assembly to give out incentives to property developers in the city like rates removal for a specific time for them to pass the benefits to the tenants.
Despite city authoty’s efforts to make Limbe township, free of vendors, street vending remains a challenge in the city with with a the vendors arguing they are not able to make meaningful sells at the free market market so or other places designated for them.
