The Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN) was officially formed on 21st October 2002.

To date, the association has over four hundred registered members who are from a cross section of vending activity. BARVEN is committed to a constitutional and democratic structure that is easily accessible and responsive. Its ultimate aim is to comprehensively represent all vending, taking in members from the vending community directly, while acting as an umbrella organization for other groups within vending and vending related activities. Our objectives are as follows:

1.To give vending its due respect and its rightful place in the economic landscape of Barbados.

2.To give vendors the opportunity to exploit technological advancements and to maximize the benefits of operating as a unified body.

3.To enhance the cultural elements of vending and to maintain that personal touch in the best tradition of our heritage.

Within our membership there are more than a hundred farmers, making BARVEN not only the largest vending group but also one of the largest farming groups in the nation. In its Corporate business plan the association has detailed a national plan for agriculture.

BARVEN Inc. is the corporate entity that presently manages the BARVEN Super Outdoor Market that is a prime example of what is possible when small business people come together in a united cause.

BARVEN is the first group member of the Barbados Small Business Association and is also the proud recipient of its 2007 Special Award.

Its motto is. “Finding solutions through consultation as apposed to confrontation”. The conflict resolving sentiment of this motto has been the guiding principle of our advocacy.

From our inception we had been in close dialogue with the government and had attracted firm support from the then official opposition. BARVEN can rightly state that it has had the backing of all the forces that are within social activism. It is also worthy to note that the editorial of The Barbados Advocate publicly identified with our struggle and became a powerful ally in our efforts to have government reintroduce licenses for street vendors. This relentless campaign that was aided by the entire media institution of Barbados culminated in most vendors receiving licenses to carry on their trade in a lawful manner, bringing an end to decades of insecurity.

We successfully lobbied for a transparent process in the selection of tenants for the refurbished Cheapside Market and in so doing secured fair entry for all of our members who had opted for that market. We were also successful in having the opening hours of the market revised from 7am to 6 am.

The continued existence of an outdoor market is due solely to the efforts of BARVEN who believe that vending must expand and move to vending developments outside of the city.

BARVEN has held dialogue with The Barbados Workers Union and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and engages with the top brass of the Barbados Police Service in meaningful discussions.

BARVEN has served on the Non-State Actors Panel that advises on the use of the European Union’s aid to this country.

Perhaps our greatest victory to date is the passing of Vending Bill by the Mia Mottley administration that has ended 333 years of legislative oppression. The Bill replaces a criminalizing colonial vending code with progressive regulations that are compatible with an independent Republic and democracy. This bill further has a Vending policy that affirmatively has a comprehensive development plan for vending.

By the progressive and very historical appointment of a Democratic Labour Party administration, BARVEN has in the past had the privilege of serving on the Board of the Barbados Tourism Authority. At the time it was the most progressive gesture by far made towards vendors by any administration holding office in Barbados.