Court orders removal of vendors, structures encumbering Demico House

High Court Judge Navindra Singh on Wednesday ordered that all structures and vendors surrounding the Demico House in the Stabroek area be removed.

Banks D.I.H. which owns Demico House had filed a Fixed Date Application through its attorney, Reon Miller, calling on the Georgetown Town Clerk and City Engineer to clear the area of vendors.

The Court ruled in Banks D.I.H’s favour.

Back in January 2024, Chairman of Banks DIH Limited Clifford Reis told a large gathering of shareholders that the company would be moving to the court, as a last resort, to remove vendors from around its Stabroek Market, Demico House location.

“We are contemplating to take legal action in the court to alleviate this problem just like what Muneshwers did,” he noted.

The Fixed Date Application was filed shortly after and two months later, a ruling delivered.

Muneshwers Limited also went to court to seek redress for similar activities at its Water Street, Georgetown building and at the end of 2023 and after about 15 years of complaints, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ordered that the vendors be removed or that the Mayor and City Council take steps to seize the good of those who refuse to move.

It was a landmark judgment that has seemingly encouraged other businesses, many of them operating for decades but suffering shortfall in their business operations because they are overrun by street vending and in some cases their buildings, including entrances, are completely blocked.