Council, at its meeting held in October, unanimously approved the Informal Trading Plan for Ward 84 in Somerset West. This means an improved public space and access to basic services for all informal traders in the area.

After a comprehensive public participation process, a trading plan was developed which included all relevant stakeholders, residents, local businesses and informal traders.

‘The proposal to develop an informal trading plan for the area allows informal trading to be well managed and supported and creates an improved public space for all users. This means that informal traders will enjoy the security of tenure and access to basic services,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

The plan provides for the following trading opportunities:

Somerset West Public Transport Interchange (PTI), 73 bays

Caledon Street, five bays

Corner of Lourens and Drama Streets, four bays

Lourensford Road, three bays

In addition, the trading plan also allows for three roving traders between Caledon and Andries Pretorius Streets and two pop-up stores at any given time between these streets.

The trading hours for the approved Informal trading sites are from 07:00 until 19:00 from Mondays to Sundays.

‘The City recognises the significance of the informal economy and its contribution to the local economy. Consequently, informal trading has a major impact on poverty as it enables many households to earn a decent living and provide a safety net for poor communities.

‘The City has always acknowledged the relevance and contribution of informal trading to the economic and social life of the city. Informal trading provides an income to those who are unemployed and affords residents an alternative to established traditional formal sector retail options,’ said Alderman Twigg.

Source: City Of Cape Town