| City boosts informal economy with close to 800 new trading opportunities | City boosts informal economy with close to 800 new trading opportunities | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Business%20grants%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The City Council has approved four major informal trading plans in key areas around Cape Town, unlocking a total of almost 800 trading opportunities. </p> | <p></p><span><p>The plans are for the Grand Parade in Cape Town CBD, Mamre and Pella near Atlantis, Gatesville, and Elsies River.</p><p>‘These plans are not just about regulation - they’re about practical improvements that support local traders and stimulate economic activity. We’ve pushed to get them approved because I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact they’ve had in areas where similar interventions have been implemented,’ said Alderman James Vos.<br></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-26%20at%2017.03.58%20%281%29.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1583px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>Highlights of the plans include:<br>• Improved infrastructure of trading bays and the surrounding spaces<br>• Giving permits to previously unpermitted traders, which would make it easier for them to access various City support mechanisms<br>• Improving compliance in line with the Informal Trading By-law </p><p>‘The plans also propose 42 trading bays for Mamre and Pella, 60 for Elsies River, 265 for Gatesville (of which 116 bays are new opportunities), and an incredible 416 for the Grand Parade. This will massively expand economic opportunities for not only hundreds of traders, but also an entire value chain.</p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-26%20at%2017.03.58%20%282%29.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>‘I really enjoy engaging with traders and hearing directly from them about what’s needed. These plans are shaped by such conversations and are designed to create cleaner, safer, and more functional trading spaces - the kind that attract customers and help businesses grow.</p><p>‘This is about creating well-managed environments that benefit everyone: traders, customers, and the broader community. It’s part of our broader work to unlock opportunities and strengthen local economies across the city,’ said Alderman Vos. </p><p> </p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-26%20at%2017.03.58.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span></span><span></span><p>Captions 1 - 3: Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, engaging with local traders and inspecting key trading spaces across the city.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2025-06-26T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#e2ad770d-40ef-4095-981b-4fa25188c141;L0|#0e2ad770d-40ef-4095-981b-4fa25188c141|Grand Parade;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#7eef497d-25f7-422e-98b1-aa9bc9de6515;L0|#07eef497d-25f7-422e-98b1-aa9bc9de6515|Business;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#64c841a7-5f38-4ecd-80cb-28f67ce669ab;L0|#064c841a7-5f38-4ecd-80cb-28f67ce669ab|trade;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
