Vancouver city council has voted in favour of looking at options to expand the city’s mobile vendor program to encourage the sale of local arts and crafts.

The approval of the motion from Vision Vancouver councillor Heather Deal will see staff develop recommendations to expand the non-food street vending program in the city and report back before next spring.

“This is something that has broad support across the city,” Deal said before council voted to approve the motion.

“It’s a way to look for opportunities for local artists and crafts people to sell their wares and get them to people, as opposed to people having to seek them out, which can be challenging in this city.”

Councillors also directed staff to consult with the city’s arts and culture policy council, existing vendors and other stakeholders on potential changes to the program.

Deal said other cities like San Francisco have similar programs, and local business improvement associations have indicated their support for the idea.

“I just think that people love to see local arts and crafts,” Deal told the Straight by phone. “Making sure they’re easily accessible for both local people and people who are visiting should be a huge plus to the city, plus they can really liven up the streetscape—they’ll look neat, they’ll be fun.”

Non-Partisan Association councillor Elizabeth Ball also expressed her support for the proposal.

“Vancouver has extraordinary craft artists—truly world-renowned craft artists,” she said. “And it would be excellent to be able to see more of their work in the streets.”

There are currently 34 non-food street vending permits in the city.