By Belize Live News: Entrepreneurs ready to open shop at the El Cayo Boardwalk are being held back by the San Ignacio Santa Elena Town Council, according to Cayo Northeast Area Representative Orlando Habet.
Habet made the claim in a statement responding to growing public criticism over the Boardwalk’s empty kiosks.
He said four kiosks are available for rent, and that rental agreements have already been signed with interested tenants.
However, Habet said that when those tenants went to obtain trade licences, the Town Council refused to issue them. Without licences, they cannot legally operate, leaving the kiosks closed.
Habet said the kiosks were designed for small pop up businesses such as coffee, smoothies, desserts, souvenirs and local crafts, not large restaurants.
He acknowledged the public’s frustration, saying he shares it, and called for cooperation with the Town Council to resolve the impasse.
“What we need now is cooperation to unlock its full potential,” the statement said.
The Town Council, led by UDP Mayor Earl Trapp, has not yet responded to Habet’s statement.
