The Cayman Islands Ministry of District Administration and Lands (MDAL) in conjunction with the Public Lands Commission (PLC) and Public Lands Inspectorate (PLI) announces the approval of vendors for the Seven Mile Public Beach Park area. Following the Cabinet’s approval of the Seven Mile Beach Park Vendor Policy in 2023, an invitation for vendor permit applications to legally sell or trade goods and/or services on public land at Seven Mile Public Beach Park garnered over 120 applications to occupy one of 34 available vending spots.
All vendor applications were individually scored against published criteria. Lounger rentals are limited to 384 loungers in total and through 8 vendors. These vendors are approved to rent up to 48 loungers each on separate designated areas of the beach. Vendors will not be permitted to operate at weekends and public holidays, or to occupy the public cabanas. The PLC will upload a list of the approved vendors to its www.gov.ky/plc in due course.
The PLC has issued notices on 15 January 2024 to all vendor permit applicants, including those approved and rejected. For those vendors who are currently operating on SMB and who have not received permit approval, a Cease and Desist Notice has been issued to vacate operations by 14 February 2024. Approved vendors are only able to operate based on PLC permit conditions and in compliance to the parameters stipulated in the Seven Mile Beach Park Vendor policy.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service have responded to various complaints and occurrences of illegal activity on the Seven Mile Beach Park including issues related to vendors. With the permit approvals issued, the RCIPS, the PLI and other enforcement agencies will work in conjunction to enforce regulations and ensure compliance to the Public Lands Act towards protecting and regulating the use of public beaches.
The PLC Cease and Desist Letter is attached and can be found here: https://www.gov.ky/publication-detail/cease-and-desist-carrying-on-a-commercial-activity-on-public-land-without-a-permit
To access the Seven Mile Beach Vendor policy click here: https://www.gov.ky/publication-detail/seven-mile-public-beach-park-vendor-policy
John Doe
16 Jan, 2024The government should cease disseminating false information, as vendors have not received any notifications of approval or denial. The Public Lands Commission (PLC) has been accepting applications since April 2023. Our current premier, Julianna O'Connor Connolly, explicitly stated in parliament in September 2023 that permits would be issued prior to the conclusion of October 2023. However, as of January 16, 2024, no notifications have been issued. The absence of a coherent explanation for this apparent lack of progress raises suspicions of an ulterior motive.