Benque Market
The Benque Town Council has been successful in obtaining support and funding from Government of Belize and a grant from the European Union under the Belize Rural Development Project II to build a new market. The market has opened since December 2014 at the corner of Kennedy and Wyatt Streets.
There are six 6 permanent and secured stalls approx. Each available for rent on a long term basis. Additionally there are four 4 roofed but open sides (14’ by 14’) stalls for short term/daily rentals. Each of these four open stalls can be subdivided to as many as 4- 7’ by 7’ spaces.
All the stalls facing the plaza are connected with covered walkways. The old basketball court will be refinished to create a plaza with shade trees and seating areas. The plaza can be used for events for the whole family and the space can be used for educational or public service announcements by schools or NGOs. No makeshift stalls are allowed to be put up on the Market site.
All the stalls facing the plaza are connected with covered walkways. The old basketball court will be refinished to create a plaza with shade trees and seating areas. The plaza can be used for events for the whole family and the space can be used for educational or public service announcements by schools or NGOs. No makeshift stalls are allowed to be put up on the Market site.
THE PERMANENT STALLS
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Benque Viejo Town Council irregularly calls who can sell a variety of local/Belizean produce, products and
crafts in the market. Currently there are five shops with a Vegetable & Fruits shop, a Meat shop, a Pizza shop, a Food shop, and clothes shop. If you want to know what you can but there, please check the flier.
A selection committee consisting of community members will evaluate all the applications and will make the vendor recommendations to the Town Council for execution of respective agreements. The selection of the vendors will be done based on the following major criteria: a) Diversity of products to be sold, b) Marketing/Vending experience, c) Ability to further invest in the market/stall, d)Financial capacity. For more detail, please check Vendor Application Submission requirements for Six (6) Permanent Stalls at Benque Market. |
THE TEMPORARY SPACE
Q. When are the Market days ?
The permanent stalls are open every day. However, Saturday is planned to be the market day when other vendors will also be occupying the temporary stalls and various activities will be planned in the plaza. Opening hours are from 6 am to 9 pm.
Q. How much are the rent?
i) The each of the six permanent stalls : only available for a yearly lease, $120 per month.
ii) The 14’ by 14’ roofed stalls with open sides : Daily $10/ Weekly $40
iii) The spaces 14’ by 7’ : Daily $8/ Weekly $30
iv) The spaces 7’ by 7’ : Daily $5/ Weekly $20
ii) The 14’ by 14’ roofed stalls with open sides : Daily $10/ Weekly $40
iii) The spaces 14’ by 7’ : Daily $8/ Weekly $30
iv) The spaces 7’ by 7’ : Daily $5/ Weekly $20
Q. How does one rent one of the stalls?
We close the list for i) permanent stalls on March 14th, 2014. The Market committer is working on the selection.
As for ii) The 14’ by 14’ roofed stalls with open sides, iii) The spaces 14’ by 7’, The spaces 7’ by 7’, They can be rented on a daily basis or weekly basis.
As for ii) The 14’ by 14’ roofed stalls with open sides, iii) The spaces 14’ by 7’, The spaces 7’ by 7’, They can be rented on a daily basis or weekly basis.
Q. Are there opportunities for artisans and vendors to have their wares displayed only in the weekends?
Yes, that is what the temporary stalls are for. They can be rented on a daily basis.
Q. What will happen to the July Fair? Will it be relocated?
The Mayor and the Town Council are engaged in discussion about an alternate site for the fair. Due to the success of the July Fair, it seems to have outgrown the present area and a larger site may be desirable. The Town Council is reviewing various options. Please send in your thoughts and ideas for an alternate location to the Town Council.
Q. How will the market be managed after it’s built?
The market when open and fully operational, it will be managed by the Town Council and the Town Administrator. There will be a Market Advisory Committee consisting of immediate property owners, vendors, other stakeholders along with the representatives of Police, Health and Traffic Departments, which will monitor the operation and advise the Town Council on resolving any potential problem or conflict through a pro-active approach.
Q. How is the Benque Market funded?
The Benque Market is fully funded through Government of Belize and a grant from European Union as part of the Belize Rural Development Project II (BRDPII). The construction phase will be managed by the Ministry of Works.The BRDPII aims at promoting broad based rural economic growth. The market will provide farmers, agro-processors, small enterprises with an enabling environment for commerce thereby enhancing their income and provide new sources of employment and income generation for members of this community.