PLC begins licensing 7MB vendors
(CNS): After years of irregular commercial activity on Seven Mile Public Beach, the Public Lands Commission has begun the process of registering traders who wish to ply their wares on one of the few remaining spots on the famous beach that has public access for locals. The new policy will define the rules for all vendors, who will need to apply for a permit to sell goods or services there.
Officials from the ministry responsible for lands said they were eager to see the Seven Mile Beach Vendor Policy implemented and the vending situation on the beach regularised. The goal is to ensure a balance in the use of the beach by Caymanians, residents and visitors. The PLC said the policy serves as an operating guide for the processing of applications and the overall management of vendors on the famous beach.
There have been significant concerns from both the public and vendors, who have found themselves in conflict over the use of the beach as the trading there has increased significantly in the last few years. Incidents of violence, including one where a vendor was accused of stabbing another man multiple times and one where a tourist was pepper sprayed, have also fuelled concerns.
Vendors have been at odds with each other as well as with officials. Many have also raised concerns that the limited number of beach huts, which were built for their use, are too small and not fit for purpose.
Nevertheless, PLC Chairperson Woody DaCosta said the rollout of the policy would help facilitate public access to the beach and organise the provision of food, beverages and ancillary services.
“The policy makes a distinction for Seven Mile Beach vending, and now clearly defines the role and parameters of a vendor,” he said. “It was important to establish parameters that strike a balance between the interest of vendors as well as the consideration for the good of the general public. The PLC aims to ensure that the beach accesses we had and have established will be maintained and protected from now and forever for all Caymanians.”
The application fee is $100, and once approved vendor permits are $75 per year. Electricity is provided at the vendor kiosk areas, where collapsible tents are also permitted at the discretion of the PLC. Signs require pre-approval by the PLC.
There are designated vendor areas for each vendor category, covering beach gear, chairs and lockers, watersports, food and beverage (including trucks), local produce and cultural wares. However, beach chair operations are not permitted at the weekend to allow residents access.
While the Public Lands Commission is mandated to protect and regulate the use of public land, the inspectorate supports its work by facilitating the application process, officials stated in a press release. Public Lands Inspectorate Chief Inspector Winsome Prendergast said the use of public lands would be monitored to ensure people comply with the law.
“The passing of the Seven Mile Beach Vendor Policy will improve our service level as it provides a clear guideline for processing applications and a fairer and more transparent process of how public lands are regulated,” she said. “I want to remind prospective vendors that public lands are for the use and enjoyment of the general public. Therefore, when a vendor permit is issued, you can only operate based on what the permit allows you to do, as per the Seven Mile Beach Vendor policy.”
Interested applicants can access the application form and policy here or email plc@gov.ky.
For more information visit www.gov.ky/plc
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Higla permit. A new low for Cayman.
The huts are situated in a good spot if you asked me. They are not even so close to the main cabanas, the volley ball park, or the sandy beach shore. Not happy with the hut design? Well call an artists friend and put them to work.
You give love but you might not always get it back. There will always be people that will have your your back. And then those that won’t.
Hey and another thing too.
It is not too late to hire security for the SMB vendors, because they can use it.
Get rid of all these people selling things on smb. Arrest anyone doing it and police it daily.
Ain’t happening
This government sucks! What a stupid idea that panders to a few low life “vendors” and in exchange ruins a classic Cayman experience. Dammit!
PPM idea
Ok, I give up, what could anyone sell out of those huts, little viles of SMB sand?
Turn them into recycling and rubbish bins. God knows we need them.
Government gave away our main “Public Beach”. Vendors or No Vendors need to be National Referendum question. Only then would government have the guts to say no because the “public voted No”.
Also $75 per year will not come close to paying for the electricity used by each vendor in these kiosks. Tourists and locals go to public beach for PEACE and QUIET, not to be bombarded with persons trying to sell you London Bridge.
KEEP VENDORS OFF SMB. THEY HAVE DESTROYED THE EXPERIENCE.
Nobody asked me on this. Why should these “vendors” be allowed to ruin our (the public) beach? I do not want them there.
CIG, if you are too afraid to stand up to the vendors – put it to a referendum and you can hide behind the coattails of the public, as we all know what the resounding result would be.
We used to pride ourselves as being different to our neighbours in the Caribbean Sea. Now we just mimic their worst traits and every negative aspect that they have, as much as is possible.
Agree with you, however we all have the right to say no to vendors. I have not found it to be a problem to do so. Everybody is just trying to make their way in these turbulent times. If I am at the beach with my family and don’t want their wares, I smile and say, “no, but thank you anyway.” Easy.
Easy until you get pepper sprayed for saying no
Get all higglers off SMB! SMB for the public only. Keep it serene and higgler free.
Another CIG generated screw up.
And just like the widespread lawlessness on our roadways, there will be zero consistent enforcement.
Pass the rum.
Why should for profit hagglers get free electricity? They shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near our public beaches.
Same for all the damned deck chairs on the people’s beaches.
Rwmove the vendors and the chairs.
Make our beaches great again!
a sad day for SMB….thanks for nothing cig.
Restrict them to the vendor stands! Fine them if they go on the beach and heckle people!
No vendors, full stop!
Get rid of all vendors on SMB.
And resort chairs
And nasty campers.
CIG and private sector mismanagement of the island’s primary natural attraction is nothing short of a national disgrace.
Whether it’s allowing concrete structures that disrupt sand accumulation, placing awful deck chairs and cabanas all the way down to the water’s edge or letting so-called vendors ruin the experience of beach users, it’s all quite ridiculous.
If only we had, say, a government Tourism Department or a private sector Tourism Association charged with regulating and protecting the island’s primary natural attraction. But no, everything has to be a free for all mess. Might as well rename it “Wild West Beach”.
I was hoping this would have been prohibited. I see no mention of how the garbage generated will be disposed of? Will each vender be responsible for their own or is tourism department taking care that it won’t be left on site daily?
The rubbish will be left behind, overflowing containers, therfore providing sustenance for the chickens.
Nobody voted for this.
We have been duped. How could there have been any previously authorized vendors at SMB (tasering tourists) if they are only now beginning the process of properly licensing any of them?!? Are they going to vet the applications after awarding the licenses to their buddies or before? Serenity now!
Restrict it to (1) people on the island legally, and (2) people with a valid business license, and there should be plenty of huts to go around.
No vendors!
How many have trade and business licenses?
To echo the other comments, we don’t need or want vendors on the beach.
They detract from the tourism product, and make it like any other over-exploited beach.
From the residents point of view, anything they sell I can buy or access elsewhere. Leave 7MB alone.
Move them all to Kenny Beach and let them try sell their crap in the hot sun.
Less and less public beach access points and more vendors…a no vendor on beach policy is what is needed. One reason I come to Cayman and not other places like Mexico anymore.
Picnic at the beach = byo food and other toys.
No agency is holding property owners to task for maintaining the required width of beach access paths.
There are too many that have vegetation growing untrimmed on both sides. A disabled person cannot fit their wheelchair now.
I do wish CNS and other media outlets would report on this to motivate action.
The island as a whole, is very much not disabled person friendly. From shoddy access paths to sidewalks blocked by signs and/or horribly constructed, we are failing.
Here is a few cool ideas:
Try to serve something unique.
Have you all seen the edible food bowels and utensils? Great idea!
Somebody got to sell Mango and sauce. It is a Great Cayman style snack! 🤤
Hot! Hot! Hot! sun means serve something chill and refreshing.
Rent cameras Nuh Duh! 😁
You are very welcome!
Bowels? Like tripe and beans?
Menudo good hangover cure, bobo
Bowels sounds about right because the shacks look like portable toilets! What a hot mess.
When can I move my business to public beach and have government build me an office as well.
Cayman is gone!!!!
And provide free electricity don’t forget.
Free electricity with every Vendor License = $75 a year!
Just ban all vendors from Public Beach, we survived without them for decades.
spoiler alert, most of these are not locals. it’s yet another way to import poverty and make sure cayman has its wannabe slave population.
Ban higglers now!
Make SMB great again!
Remove all vendors, huts and ban all commercial activity!
Whoever has designed these “huts” must be forced to spend a day in it.
Remove all the huts and vendors! Keep SMB free of vendors!
So instead of solving the problem, they found a way to make money. You know this will go to “friends” first.
Lodge comrades
Classic government rhetoric, “pay us $100 dollars then we’ll decide if you’re allowed to earn a living”
Mobsters
as the huts that were built for them just rot away……..
The huts may as well rot away, they are totally unusable and a waste of money.
Whichever civil servant “designed” these should have his pencils taken away.