Cape Town: The Council approved nine trading plans on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 to open-up 693 new bays for traders city-wide to boost their business and customer experience. This milestone is part of the City’s overall action plan to invest in the informal trading sector, which is a key contributor to the local economy. The City is also reviewing its Informal Trading Policy to bolster this sector.
Traders in the Cape Town CBD (Greenmarket Square, St. George’s Mall, Company Gardens and roadside trading), Bo-Kaap, Durbanville, the Hanover Park market, Atlantis and Eerste River will soon benefit from the newly approved or revised trading plans, where applicable, for their areas.
The new bays will add to about 6060 trading bay opportunities already provided by the City in the metro. The newly approved plans also follow the construction of new markets being planned and developed in areas including Masiphumelele, Mitchells Plain, and Wallacedene.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos stated that today’s approval means nearly 700 more opportunities for residents to earn an income, support their families and grow small businesses. This is the biggest number of trading opportunities approved at a single Council meeting of this term, marking a major milestone in the quest to strengthen the public trading eco-systems across the city.
This is a clear demonstration of the commitment to achieve inclusive economic growth. Getting these plans to the approval stage took extensive work from ward councillors, sub-council chairpersons, community organisations and Public Trading Department officials. This is what good governance is in practice: practical action, support for entrepreneurs, and a city government making economic opportunities accessible for people.
It should also be noted that the approved trading plans do not include Trafalgar Place Flower Market as the City’s Economic Growth team is still in the process of drafting a proposed trading plan for the site, which will include vital feedback from the traders.
The City of Cape Town will continue to engage with the traders so that they can work together to improve the Trafalgar Square trading space to benefit both the traders and their customers. They will address concerns and feedback received during the recent public participation process, which is vital in collating the proposed future design and draft trading plan for the area.
Generally, a trading plan provides a secure, regulated operating environment for traders which also unlocks investment and upgrades to create a dignified, functional and well‑designed trading space that enhances both business operations and customer experience.
Alderman Vos further stated that trading plans strengthen public trading ecosystems across wards and sub-councils by creating regulated, safe, accessible and business-friendly trading spaces. At the core of the formulation of these plans is the balance of compassion with compliance, while ensuring public spaces are properly managed and functional. As Cape Town’s economy continues to evolve, so too will the City’s commitment to identify and enact more trading plans.