By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

VENDORS at the Nassau Straw Market say they are battling unsafe and unsanitary conditions, from flooding that forces roaches through drains to strobe lights that trigger headaches and drive away customers.

Some stallholders told The Tribune the environment is making them sick and scaring off tourists. Their comments came as officials consider closing the historic downtown site for urgent repairs.

One veteran vendor described recent heavy rains that pushed filth and vermin into the market, while another said a malfunctioning overhead light had been blinking for weeks, leaving her with constant headaches and prompting visitors to walk out for fear of seizures.

“My only grievance right now is this light, the strobe light, and I am losing too much business,” Marbas Smith said. “When you are trying to make a sale, they go because they say they do not want to get a seizure. Yesterday I had a terrible headache. I had to put on my dark shades in order for me to focus. Some days, I leave early because I just cannot take the pain. This is not healthy. Customers just walk out and leave.”

Another vendor, Deborah Miller, said sanitation problems were just as alarming. “A couple weeks ago, we had a lot of rain, and the rain came up through the drain and brought up a lot of roaches and filth,” she said, adding that the heat inside is oppressive and the layout often prevents wheelchair-bound tourists from moving freely.

The Straw Market Authority has acknowledged conditions need urgent attention. Chair Kelverna Small confirmed the board will meet on Friday to finalise whether the market will shut down for up to one week so crews can install an air conditioning system and new fire sprinkler motors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Chester Cooper, who toured the market yesterday, said concerns about heat, sanitation and upkeep were valid but assured that upgrades would be carried out quickly.