Over time, the Mayor disclosed that more individuals are interested in vending at the annual Assou Square Festivities. Despite the increased demand, Lendor-Gabriel says, the prices of booths will not be increased.

“We will be meeting with vendors. We are always going to have vendors asking about prices. It’s quite expensive to set up the booths. We’ve always been ready to subsidise that. It’s not a money-making event for the CCC, we don’t see ourselves increasing the cost. What we found last year was that the demand far outstrips the availability. We expect the same again,” she explains.

According to the Castries Mayor, 2024’s celebrations will follow the same format as this year’s.

“As it pertains to Assou Square, it’s going to be a very similar set-up to last year. Last year, people were happy with what took place. So we can only build on what we had from last year. We have everything in place for that.”

Lendor-Gabriel says the government is currently investing in different security systems ahead of the activity. She also urged the private sector to improve security as best as they can.

“The government has invested in cameras. We take the opportunity to encourage the private sector to invest in cameras as well. We started off in the market, we are going to beef up in the arcade. We need to work with technology,” she urged.

Specifics regarding the start and end time of Assou Square 2024 have not been released yet.