A view of the craft market.

Latoya Grindley and Norman Grindley, Gleaner Writers

Beautiful craft items, hand-made clothes and jewellery are among the many creative pieces on display at the Kingston Craft Market in downtown.

There was, however, one thing missing on Saturday when a Gleaner news team visited. There were lovely pieces, numerous shops, well-decorated and attended, but simply no buyers.

The atmosphere was very still, not the usual buzz and action expected inside a craft market. Vendors seemed to occupy their time by just strolling around or sitting with lazy expressions on their faces.

According to past president of the Kingston Craft Market, Blossom Lamb-Evans, this was a regular setting at the craft market: just sellers, no buyers. According to her, the few customers who do shop there are mainly locals.

Only Jamaican shoppers

Cinde Ramlla at the Kingston Craft Market recently.

"Only Jamaicans I see so far. If they know you, they come to your booth and purchase your goods," she said.

Mrs. Lamb-Evans noted that business has been stagnant for several years. She complained that the vendors have not been given much assistance from the Government or the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

The Kingston Craft Market may be foreign to many people, especially the younger generation, and vendors complain that this is because it is not being promoted like it was when it was first established.

"We don't hear anything about the craft market, I mean it is a very important place with history and it is not getting the recognition it should. The Government and the Jamaica Tourist Board should intercede," said Mrs. Lamb-Evans.

Now more than ever, with the Cricket World Cup just days away, vendors are eager to find out what is on the table for them, especially because they say no significant work is being done to improve the condition of the market.

"We don't see anything major happening for the preparation of World Cup except for few soldiers painting the wall outside, nothing else. We have meetings, and thatis it. Nothing, just talk," said one vendor.

Mrs. Lamb-Evans added: "Nobody has said anything significant to us about that (World Cup) and what would be wonderful is if there are shuttles provided to take the tourists here, but we haven't heard about any arrangements like this, so we don't know. It seems like maybe uptown is going to get the business."

Deplorable conditions

Blossom Lamb-Evans shows off items for sale. -photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

While the news team was at the market, some vendors were seen sitting on chairs sporting their goods creatively decorated on some makeshift stalls with the view of burnt zinc and a roof decorated with huge gaps.

These conditions, vendors say, have been existent since five years ago when five shops were burnt out.

"The owners ask for help and nothing has been done. It is deplorable, right now the storeowners are in the passageway," says Mrs. Lamb-Evans.

One of the fire victims said that whenever it rains, goods are damaged and it "is quite hectic to be rushing to pack up the items".

The vendors say that all they want is some attention from the Government and are demanding that they get it as soon as possible.