Some roads to be closed to vehicular traffic as 'Christmas in the City' begins tomorrow

THE The ANNUAL 'Christmas in the City' shopping event, put on by the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), in association with numerous sponsors, is slated for tomorrow.

Special vending areas are also to become operational tomorrow with King Street expected to be closed to vehicular traffic.

The shopping spree, scheduled to last from 8 a.m. to midnight, is being staged as the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season in downtown Kingston.

Addressing the monthly Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) meeting last week, mayor of Kingston, Angela Brown Burke, said the action is aimed at stimulating growth in the area, even as the KSAC is mindful of economic challenges.

"Usually, Christmas is the busiest time of the year, both for shoppers and vendors. But these are challenging times, so the KSAC, along with merchants and vendors within the downtown market district, are kicking off the season with a grand shopping spree," she said.

According to Brown Burke, meetings were held with major sponsors, BOOM, The Gleaner Company, Jamaica Chamber of Council, the Vendors Association, Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Island Special Constabulary Force and other stakeholders to ensure "no stone is left unturned in creating a Christmas to remember".

Brown Burke said special vending areas have been identified for the period, December 18 to January 4, to allow vendors to ply wares.

Full details of those areas should be released today.

According to Brown Burke, vendors selling in those locations must have permission from the KSAC.

"The additional vending areas will attract a cost. This fee is to offset the costs of vending, such as the removal of garbage from the respective areas," said Brown Burke.

She argued that the measures form part of the KSAC's efforts to facilitate and maintain law and order while accommodating increased vendor population during the Yuletide season.