Shelly-Ann Thompson, Gleaner Writer

Vendors who operated at the One Love Jamaica Village in New Kingston, which was closed yesterday, are waiting to find out when their money will be refunded.

The entertainment and craft village at the National Housing Trust car park, which was scheduled to run until this Saturday, was cancelled as of yesterday by the Local Organising Committee of Cricket World Cup.

Valrie Veira, chief executive officer of the Jamaica Business Development Centre which had oversight responsibility for the village, said yesterday that a meeting was called to discuss a repayment plan for the vendors.

The approximately 30 vendors each paid $10,000 or $20,000 for a half or full booth, respectively.

Reassurance

"The people who left, we took their names and we are sorting it out today (Monday). But they will get their money because we empathise with them," said Miss Veira.

"We are trying to come up with a formula that will not be disadvantageous to them," she added.

Last Thursday, JBDC opened another craft village at Devon House. Approximately 50 per cent of the craft vendors who exhibited in New Kingston have been relocated to Devon House.

Still, Miss Veira could not say if the vendors who opted to exhibit at Devon House would get a refund.

Last week, several of the food and craft exhibitors complained openly of losses being incurred due to a lack of buyers coming to the village.

"All along we were wondering if we could go on. But on Sunday it was decided that it would be thelast day," said Miss Veira.

Pauline Nelson, communications manager for the LOC, said: "The objective of having people passing through the village, watching cricket, has not materialised so we have had to cancel the village."

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com