A GROUP of Grahamstown grannies, who have been making and selling African-inspired arts and crafts at a popular national monument for years, have vowed to fight attempts to evict them to a quieter spot.

After 19 years of selling her beadwork on the pavement at the entrance to the busy Drostdy Arch, Nothemba Maqinana said the only way she would give up her spot was if she was forcibly removed.

"My roots are so deep here they are going to have to move me with a grader."

Alarmed by the increasing popularity of the informal trading spot, the Albany Museum responsible for buildings and land listed by the National Monument Council, held several meetings with traders in recent months to try and reach a compromise.

During the meetings the crafters who rallied together and formed the Masithandane Cultural Group, were told they were breaking several municipal by-laws, as well as national legislation regarding NMC property.

The group then allegedly signed agreements to move.

However, last Friday four grannies and a metal crafter changed their minds and were back at their usual spots this week.

They said they realised that if they accepted an offer from a good Samaritan to use another piece of land, they would suffer serious financial implications.

Museum manager Bongani Mgijima said it was hoped the issue could still be "resolved amicably".