The city council has approved the informal trading plans for Sub-council 3 along Old Paarl Road, Bellville.
A total of 10 new informal trading bays will be allocated on the stretch of road, after council gave the go-ahead on Wednesday October 26 (“City’s plans to formalise trading,” Northern News Thursday October 20.)
Traders were given a chance to view the proposals and engage with the City during the public participation process.
Informal trader Shafiek Abel said: “I have been sharing a stall with a fellow trader for about nine years, so I am very happy with the suggestions for a more permanent structure, as this will be of great benefit. I can expand my sales as now I am very limited.”
Another trader, Charity Matweke, said: “I support the plan of setting up these structures for informal traders. It is a good cause to alleviate poverty and unemployment. However, bins must be provided.”
Mayoral committee member for tourism, events and economic development, Eddie Andrews said he was pleased traders had backed the informal trading plans, which he said created an “enabling” and “well managed” environment” for them to grow their businesses.
Informal trading was important to the economic and social life of the city and vital to job creation, he said.
“The City is therefore doing all it can to balance the needs of residents and the formal retail sector with the need for economic development,” he said.