Downtown Kingston to be transformed into a Mega Shopping Area

A section of Downtown Kingston is to be transformed into a mega shopping area for two days during the Jamaica 50 celebration.

Mayor of Kingston Angella Brown-Burke says the aim is to capitalise on Jamaica’s participation in the Olympics set for London.

Mayor Burke called on businesses in the Corporate Area to get on board with the celebrations by decorating their buildings with the colours of Jamaica and flying the flag in the independence period.

Speaking at the Monthly General Meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporations (KSAC) whose king street building is draped with the black, green and gold, Mayor Brown-Burke said between July 26 and 28, there will be a shopping bonanza in Downtown Kingston with the area around St. William Grant Park turned into an arcade and established merchants agreeing to cut their prices by up to 70 %.

She said they would open their shops from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. She said the shopping bonanaza or summer sizzle would culminate on Thursday night, July 28, with a massive concert sponsored by the Star newspaper.

She said vendors will be able to put up stalls but they would have to apply beforehand for short-term permits.

Also, as part of the celebrations she said the first 50 people to arrive at the Norman Manley Airport, Kingston, the day before Independence Day will be given Jamaica 50 certificates.

Mayor Brown-Bruke heads a KSAC Jamaica 50 Committee.