Claudia Gardener, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The Hanover Parish Council is considering a proposal by vice-chairman Audley Gilpin to rehabilitate the Cleveland Stanhope Market in Lucea.

The market has been affected by a seawater backlog from the Lucea Harbour for several years because the base of the market is a few feet below sea level.

Over the last five years, the fate of the market has been the subject of numerous discussions by the local authorities and civic bodies in the parish. The Hanover Health Department has on numerous occasions voiced concerns about its state of cleanliness.

There have been recommendations for its relocation as well as for its demolition to make way for more lucrative entities, as it is said to be on prime seafront property. Also, less than half of the market is utilised, with most of the vending taking place outdoors in what is known as 'Marshall Yard' on the property.

But Councillor Gilpin is convinced the market can be rehabilitated. He says the plans to restructure the market must include converting the property into a unified marketplace incorporating the selling of ground provisions, seafood, haberdasheries, barber shops and boutiques, making it the hub of commercial activity in the town.

"As to how this sits with the council, that is yet to be seen," Gilpin says. "The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) is in on it with us, and they are trying to get funding to do the physical structure of the market. We are having challenges there because the sea level is a bit high and the water backs up and can't leave the market as it should and the market can't be cleaner, as it should.

"I would love to see the council adopt the plans. This is how markets are going at this point in time. TPDCo was proposing we have a one-day flea market inside there to generate more commercial activity within the town. Whenever visitors come here, they gravitate towards the market. He says in order for the problem to be solved, the Lucea Harbour will have to be dredged."