Ghanaian Company, CONTRACTA, on Friday presented a feasibility study to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council on a project that could see the iconic Stabroek Market being transformed into a state-of-the-art facility featuring more than 1000 additional stalls, a fish market, a food court, more than 300 parking spaces for visitors and two docks to support the market’s supply chain. 

During an extraordinary meeting of the Council today at the Kitty Market, Technical Director of CONTRACTA, Reginald Longden said the transformative project would see the market having two floors to accommodate the additional vendors, in particular those, who currently vend on the outskirts of the facility.

“We are doing something that comprises two levels – there is the ground, and then there is the first. The reason why we are constrained to ground and first, is because we are dealing with an existing building that we do not want to change. It has to retain its character, it has to retain the volumes because that becomes the centre piece, that is what is going to draw people to it. Like I said, you have got the market component, and you have got the tourism component and you have to milk it to maximum benefit. So, we will be limited to these two levels,” Longden explained. 

He said in order to address the lighting issue within the existing facility, CONTRACTA, in its proposal, recommended that high-level windows be installed to address the issue of lighting and ventilation.

Longden said overall, the project is designed to address three primary issues – the need for expansion and the inclusion of additional stalls, the promotion of tourism, and the issue of congestion, including parking.

“Now, the tourism component, what we are proposing is that on the sea wall side, we have a specialty fish market and restaurants. On the lower section of the ground floor section, we will have an open café type, fast-food, fish specialty restaurants, and what that does, it draws tourists into this place, and at the same time selling fish products, fresh fish products….So, that means, your market not only operates from 9-5 but goes on through the evening, because you are bring people in. And because people are coming to this special place, Stabroek Market, from there, there is a link that takes you through the market place to the tower,” Longden explained. 

The project also takes into account the Vendors Arcade and the Stabroek Bazaar. Longden said with the required funding, the project could be completed within three years, and would significantly increase revenue generation in the commercial zone. 

Longden’s presentation was welcomed by the Councillors present, with the City Mayor Alfred Mentore explaining that project would provide greater accommodation for vendors, particularly those engaged in street vending, and who in recent months, have had to relocate from the vicinities of major businesses. 

He, however, acknowledged that due to the magnitude of the project, financial support would be needed from government and financial institutions for it to materialize. 

The study was commissioned based on a recommendation by British High Commissioner Jane Miller.  

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