tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26518229860178652042024-03-14T03:10:21.682-04:00West Coast BlogKeeping track of Barbados' exciting Platinum CoastUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-61079910428918274672019-03-21T08:53:00.000-04:002019-03-21T08:53:46.125-04:00Our Prediction ABV Will Go The Way Of PBC Gathers Steam ...<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBarbadosToday%2Fposts%2F10156471804248191&width=560&show_text=true&height=518&appId" width="560" height="518" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-49884322008418406182018-06-13T16:53:00.000-04:002018-06-14T14:43:28.021-04:00Abandoned Four Seasons Hotel Project Burns<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNationBarbados%2Fvideos%2F10155215112095989%2F&width=560&show_text=false&height=316&appId" width="560" height="316" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>
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<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNationBarbados%2Fvideos%2F10155215261960989%2F&width=560&show_text=false&height=996&appId" width="560" height="996" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-56738235965671166622018-05-20T12:34:00.001-04:002018-05-20T12:34:54.019-04:00Cobblers Cove Highlighted As Possible Royal Honeymoon Destination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5cWS--D8AA/WwGjQ0tbqjI/AAAAAAAABeA/SKnZ2t8ETDIXSyOUJ_wYkaF-JCimBoZbQCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-05-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1006" height="247" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5cWS--D8AA/WwGjQ0tbqjI/AAAAAAAABeA/SKnZ2t8ETDIXSyOUJ_wYkaF-JCimBoZbQCLcBGAs/s400/2018-05-20.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
"It may be a honeymoon cliché, but Harry has holidayed in Barbados several times. The polo scene is a big draw for him: it was here that he was also famously thrown from his pony while playing in the Sentebale Polo Cup.<br />
<br />
Happily, the macaroon-pink boutique retreat Cobblers Cove can organise sessions at a nearby polo field. This genteel, old-school classic, once the beach getaway of a plantation owner, has a loyal, largely British following. The adventure-loving couple might also be seduced by the opportunity to go on expeditions with Barker, Cobblers' resident fisherman."<br />
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See more: <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/articles/where-will-the-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Sussex-honeymoon/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/articles/where-will-the-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Sussex-honeymoon/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-63147331011962319792018-04-21T03:14:00.002-04:002018-04-21T03:14:54.242-04:00Holiday where the celebs go at Sandy Lane in Barbados<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlzWo5QG9b8/WtrkIBNdaSI/AAAAAAAABdc/yQzbb3Y4NY4Cq_qkizDatbNHocbDTTTggCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-04-21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="980" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlzWo5QG9b8/WtrkIBNdaSI/AAAAAAAABdc/yQzbb3Y4NY4Cq_qkizDatbNHocbDTTTggCLcBGAs/s400/2018-04-21.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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"There are just a handful of hotels in the Caribbean as lauded and well respected as Sandy Lane. Barbados’s powerhouse resort, which sits on the west coast of the island, has played host to a flock of celebrities, business personalities and royalty since it opened in 1961.<br />
<br />
Originally built on the site of an old sugar plantation, this Leading Hotels of the World member retains plenty of the authentic charm that led to it becoming an instant hit more than half a century ago, despite it having been completely rebuilt in 2001.<br />
<br />
Remaining popular with the world’s elite has involved an endless process of refurbishment, development and a refusal to accept that luxury has boundaries."<br />
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Read more: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/caribbean/perfect-island-getaway/sandy-lane-barbados">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/caribbean/perfect-island-getaway/sandy-lane-barbados</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-16704716070660135112017-01-17T11:25:00.000-05:002017-01-17T11:25:16.677-05:00Hotel hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYJ93yyvkFg/WH5EotNx1nI/AAAAAAAABaE/UH1Odj93t7Ij2HbO1q_7Za5PZokCuiWAACLcB/s1600/fourseasons%2B17%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYJ93yyvkFg/WH5EotNx1nI/AAAAAAAABaE/UH1Odj93t7Ij2HbO1q_7Za5PZokCuiWAACLcB/s320/fourseasons%2B17%2B01.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
"The controversial Four Seasons project could have a new saviour, with a multi-millionaire investor here saying he was willing to take over the stalled project.<br />
<br />
Eager to see something done with the 32-acre Clearwater Bay, Black Rock, St Michael site, a frustrated Andrew Stewart, who has investments in a number of hotels and restaurants here, said he was willing to seriously look at taking over the development, but it would have to come with “the right terms”.<br />
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“Yes, if it came on the right terms it is something that I and my investors would look at with interest,” said Stewart, the chairman of the stockbroking and investment management firm Ravenscroft Limited.<br />
<br />
Recalling that many of his friends had invested in the project to construct a 110-room hotel and 35 private villas, Stewart told Barbados TODAY it was disheartening that the project had ground to a halt.<br />
<br />
“Every time I go pass there, you know, there is no building work going on. Why don’t we actually do something with it? Some of the highest profile people in the world put their names down for it. Let’s try and get it organized; cut all the nonsense of whatever it is and build the bloody hotel there ...”<br />
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Read more: https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/01/16/hotel-hopeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-85179893012033602932015-03-15T00:25:00.000-04:002015-03-15T00:27:16.816-04:00Are Sue Springer & Robin Paterson Whistling Dixie?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WoFqjJ6EpI/VQTSBtke80I/AAAAAAAABWg/4gYzxPeRn-Q/s1600/bargainbasementlg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WoFqjJ6EpI/VQTSBtke80I/AAAAAAAABWg/4gYzxPeRn-Q/s320/bargainbasementlg1.jpg" /></a></div>
"Royal Westmoreland, a Barbados landmark, is up for sale on the international market but the local tourism industry isn’t worried as this may result merely in a changing of hands.
Prime luxury international real estate dealers and financial publications today began announcing that British owner, John Morphet, wants to part with the 750-acre west coast property for US$75 million.
“It has been known for some time that there was a possibility of Royal Westmoreland being put up for sale. Now this is obviously what has happened,” Executive Vice-President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Sue Springer, told Barbados TODAY.
Morphet’s reported reason for giving up ownership of this property that annually attracts the likes of British Premier League football star, Wayne Rooney, and retired English cricket captain, Michael Vaughn, was that now in his 60s, he feels to be getting on too much in age that tires him after 96 visits to this island in 10 years.
“I’m not getting any younger and it needs more time than I’d like to give it,” he said of the spread that includes 225 villas, a clubhouse, restaurant, spa, and a golf course.
“It is an incredible real estate property and we look forward [and are] hoping that whoever purchases this whole estate will keep it in its current use and won’t change it,” Springer said.
The Financial Times quoted Chief Executive of Sotheby’s International, Robin Paterson, as saying it was “very unusual to get an entire resort for sale” in the Barbados market.
“This is the only resort of this scale, reputation and longevity in the southern Caribbean,” Paterson added.
Springer does not see the announced sale having any negative impact on the image of Barbados tourism. “No, I don’t think so because things could be for sale at any time; it could be a hotel, it could be an estate like this, whatever. Things change hands the world over all the time.
“It sends that message because the gentleman that owns it has accepted that he is at the crossroads and he wants to stay closer to home.”
Morphet, who has a rags to riches story, having taken over a struggling UK farm from his parents, had last year indicated plans to purchase land from the Westmoreland estate to build an additional 200 properties. That planned investment was reportedly to the tune of US$500.
These plans may not be derailed by a change in ownership because the Barbados real estate market is now being seen as an investment opportunity on the rise.
The Sotheby’s chief executive reportedly told the Financial Times that the Barbados market is beginning to see an inflow of international professional property investors such as hotel operators.
Springer agrees with that assessment, and believes the announced sale speaks well for the property market."
Source: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/03/14/for-saleUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-6689657620712655232015-01-20T15:25:00.000-05:002015-01-20T15:25:50.645-05:00Four Seasons Saga 2015-1<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/NationBarbados/posts/10152496948650989" data-width="600"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationBarbados/posts/10152496948650989">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationBarbados">The Nation Barbados</a>.</div></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-55903644765548675862014-09-24T12:14:00.000-04:002014-09-24T12:14:30.903-04:00Serious Charge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ruzNLBCNGg/VCLsiDJ2XAI/AAAAAAAABUs/WPy4YBnpkEk/s1600/cliffrichards2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ruzNLBCNGg/VCLsiDJ2XAI/AAAAAAAABUs/WPy4YBnpkEk/s1600/cliffrichards2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
>>>Sir Cliff Richard is aiming to start a new life in Barbados once he has cleared his name in a child-sex investigation, friends have told the Sunday People.<br />
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They claim the 73-year-old <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9d58898b-5521-49c0-b800-ff7726909b27" id="c158607f-99af-408f-bcfb-176eca92ce3e">megastar</span> is the victim of a police witch-hunt.<br />
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And they insist he will move to the West Indian paradise as soon as he has proved his innocence.<br />
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Sir Cliff owns a sprawling £6million estate – complete with a luxury villa – on the Commonwealth island.<br />
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And he took out citizenship there two years ago.<<<<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Read more: <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/cliff-richard-planning-new-life-4296739#ixzz3EFXFO3ZD">http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/cliff-richard-planning-new-life-4296739#ixzz3EFXFO3ZD</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-40584986894447966132014-08-19T04:57:00.000-04:002014-08-19T04:57:51.352-04:00Beaches Heywoods Being Pushed Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gordon_butch_stewart-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gordon_butch_stewart-150x150.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Have the ghosts of Paradise Beach Club already landed in Haywoods? <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e27fbf4e-a30c-45d7-89d3-ab94b9ffed2e" id="53f0edb0-4fb7-4186-95df-8bd159bb382a">Are we now seeing</span> emerging one of the reasons why Sandals' Butch Stewart recently out of the blue bought Almond Beach Village <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e27fbf4e-a30c-45d7-89d3-ab94b9ffed2e" id="4378df11-bb7e-4173-85d0-4ab6b746ecc7">outright</span> off the hands of the government of Barbados at bargain basement? It is suspected that the other reason had to do with the nascent calls from the operators of the section of ABV that's open for the entire St. Peter property to be turned over them for a quick and cheap re-opening. Now that Butch got his way, any deviation from <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3451cd68-54b2-4833-8e94-c8c82d11b29b" id="1ec051ba-3d2d-4aa0-9bad-7dbbd53f59fc">announced</span> plans the question must be asked whether he is beginning to put ABV on the ice as much he did to PBC a generation ago: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The much talked about construction of the Beaches Resort at the former Almond Village property in St Peter could be delayed.<br />Although not saying how long the setback was anticipated to be, Gordon Butch Stewart, chairman of the parent company Sandals Resort International, said it was unlikely that the planned multi-million-dollar project would get off the ground in the first quarter of next year as initially announced.<br />In February, Stewart told Barbados TODAY that the plan was to start construction in the middle of April 2015, with an expectation that it would be completed in about 22 months.<br />However, when asked last Friday if the plans were still on course, Butch would only say: “We are working towards that [date, but] it is probably a bit further down in the year<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="481dc473-f109-4f42-9b47-159e7b9cab4c" id="5156bbe1-a9d7-40e2-9432-2b8357c77c73"> .</span> . . We are juggling a lot of things right now and there is a lot of work taking place on that Beaches design.”"</blockquote>
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Source: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2014/08/19/work-on-beaches-resort-could-be-delayed<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-73447936524012457932014-08-17T00:12:00.001-04:002014-08-17T00:20:25.758-04:00No Sugar In Sugar Hill<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br />
"His £3million Algarve farm and his £6million plantation-style villa in Barbados are his pride and joy. He spends more time there than he does at the apartment that was raided yesterday, which he bought in 2008.<br />
He shrugged recently that he spends 'a week here, a week there' in Britain and it has been revealed that he is not even a UK resident any longer as he spends so little time in the country. He is domiciled instead in Barbados, where he spends each winter."<br />
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<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2725318/I-ll-bachelor-boy-s-way-I-ll-stay-His-bandmate-s-wife-Sue-Barker-rumours-sexuality-Sir-Cliff-Richard-s-love-life-apparent-lack-thereof.html#ixzz3AcQa8teE">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2725318/I-ll-bachelor-boy-s-way-I-ll-stay-His-bandmate-s-wife-Sue-Barker-rumours-sexuality-Sir-Cliff-Richard-s-love-life-apparent-lack-thereof.html#ixzz3AcQa8teE</a><br />
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f4d2b5a5-9944-4276-a75a-a90cc58a1b77" id="d9ee4fcf-7b46-4583-b723-9e2494f154ab">DailyMail</span> on FacebookUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-10244859817656949152014-03-26T09:29:00.001-04:002014-03-26T09:29:46.692-04:00Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel Make Waves On West Coast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/24/article-2588293-1C89B5E800000578-154_634x541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/24/article-2588293-1C89B5E800000578-154_634x541.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />
See more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2588615/Jessica-Biel-indulges-water-sports-Justin-Timberlake-Caribbean-break.html">Jessica Biel enjoys a break with Justin Timberlake | Mail Online</a>: <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="20dffe33-6a17-499b-aaeb-68a70c9a6969" id="019577f0-f247-4842-944c-7c6c9fda6adb">via</span> Blog this'</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-84458874525002668182014-01-05T14:50:00.000-05:002014-01-05T14:50:52.549-05:00Jetty Saved In Speightstown's Twin-City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxFyhCQSqQQ/Usm156lCPNI/AAAAAAAABSk/3gcAzyYUXTU/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxFyhCQSqQQ/Usm156lCPNI/AAAAAAAABSk/3gcAzyYUXTU/s1600/29.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Jetty Saved In Speightstown's Twin-City - Charleston, SC. Is anyone paying attention in Barbados? Click here for more - <a href="http://j.mp/19WVWmX">http://j.mp/19WVWmX</a>.<br />
<br />
From Wikipedia:<br />
<i>"Speightstown has been twinned with:</i><br />
<i>England - Reading, Berkshire, England (since 2003)</i><br />
<i>United States - Charleston, South Carolina (since November 1997), the original parts of which were based on the plans of Barbados's capital city Bridgetown. Many dispossessed indigo, tobacco and cotton planters departed from Speightstown along with their slaves and helped found Charleston after there was a wholesale move to adopt sugar cane cultivation in Barbados; a land and labour intensive enterprise which helped usher in the era of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in the British West Indies."</i><br />
<br />
Click here - <a href="http://j.mp/StownJet">http://j.mp/StownJet</a> - to sign the petition for the restoration of the Speightstown Jetty.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-70050215538080644782013-12-31T08:47:00.001-05:002013-12-31T08:47:01.962-05:00Lessons For Barbados' West Coast<a href="http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Resort-developer-denies-building-on-St-Vincent-flood-plain-19250.html">Caribbean News Now!: Resort developer denies building on <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a6bc76d8-9e5a-4016-a039-42e8ce63cf15" id="6f6ad4c6-1cbc-44c0-9eff-f36ac33a5fbf">St Vincent flood plain</span></a>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-26513862201211427182013-12-21T17:43:00.000-05:002013-12-21T17:43:46.725-05:00Ramshackle Catspradled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nationnews.com/images/cached/inc/uploads/articles/122113_Ramshackle_1042-450x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nationnews.com/images/cached/inc/uploads/articles/122113_Ramshackle_1042-450x350.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
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"The popular Ramshackle Bar in Mount Standfast, St James, has closed its doors, leaving 15 workers jobless.</div>
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According to co-owner Maxine Depeiza, the closure resulted from her business partner’s decision to pull out of the business and the owners of the land not wishing the operation to continue.</div>
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Ramshackle closed at the end of November and Depeiza said many of her former employees were mothers of young children.</div>
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She spoke to the SATURDAY SUN yesterday as she oversaw the removal of materials which she had added to the wooden structure in 2010 after leasing the property from owners who lived overseas."</div>
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Source: http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/bar-closed/</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-86622135302454087362013-11-30T16:56:00.000-05:002013-11-30T16:59:55.751-05:00Techno Jetty<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/80684164?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=c9ff23" width="480" height="270" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p>Sign petition to have jetty repaired here -<a href="http://j.mp/StownJet">http://j.mp/StownJet</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-65741267539828704782013-11-11T18:54:00.000-05:002013-11-11T18:56:43.233-05:00BARBADOS GOVERNMENT GIVES BUTCH STEWART CONCESSIONS WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_Qp7ErfJ0A/UoFsorhdwuI/AAAAAAAABSQ/qkT8N1tuBHU/s1600/sweetheart+deals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_Qp7ErfJ0A/UoFsorhdwuI/AAAAAAAABSQ/qkT8N1tuBHU/s400/sweetheart+deals.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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"The Barbados government has granted millions of dollars in concessions to Jamaican hotel magnate Gordon “Butch” Stewart who recently signed an agreement to operate a Beaches Resort and Sandals hotel there.</div>
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According to an article written by Roy Morris, Editor-in-Chief of the Barbados Nation newspaper, for the next 25 years, Beaches and Sandals will be exempted from paying all import duties<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2a2828c-6833-4398-a57a-fc418801934f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0885d13-0593-45ee-83dd-d8165a3367fa" grcontextid=", taxes including:0">, taxes including</span> VAT, imposts and levies of any nature whatsoever on the importation or local purchase <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d573efdc-d354-492e-aabf-f1cf4cb0c338" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0885d13-0593-45ee-83dd-d8165a3367fa" grcontextid="on:1">on</span> all capital goods needed for the equipping, operation and promotion of the hotel, as well as on all food and beverages. </div>
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When that tax holiday period is over, Sandals will only be required to pay half of the “applicable rates and taxes prevailing” for the next 15 years. </div>
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The details of the concessions were contained in a letter dated Tuesday, November 5th, 2013, and signed by <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ae1506b-8584-4ecb-ae83-3e541c36f155" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f789a8f9-07f2-4533-b49c-9cc5e5394474" grcontextid="Minister:0">Minister</span> of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sinckler.</div>
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The Nation newspaper said the tax holiday period began on Tuesday, the day before Sandals officially began operation in Barbados and encompasses the period before the start date of the commercial operation of the hotel, and while it is being acquired, expanded and developed. Sandals in Barbados will be managed by Josef Zellner, who once managed Beaches Turks and Caicos Islands.</div>
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The Barbados Minister of Finance further advised that the letter was only interim approval which shall remain valid until replaced by a permanent letter together with the appropriate statutory instrument to be issued by him.</div>
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What the newspaper describes as a “sweetheart deal”, includes the waiver of:-</div>
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(a) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a2cb685-d204-4545-9bfb-fb7e12379565" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfa9ca96-3fc0-4715-aeb8-982e639f60d7" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> import duties, taxes, imposts and levies of any nature whatsoever, including Value Added Tax, on the importation or local purchase of:</div>
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(i) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ce2f21f-fd77-4675-ad4d-c7623e39286e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e7bbe22-0af3-4aab-9d9e-17fe6eeb941d" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> capital goods such as building materials, articles of hotel equipment, furniture. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72d4faf0-a3ab-4c6e-a9a8-34e4ca0fb3f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9dc826f-0128-4a84-b898-3d2930dd6d84" grcontextid="furnishings:0">furnishings</span>, fixtures, fittings, construction machinery, boats, watercraft, vehicles for the Hotel's use, televisions, computer equipment, telephones, software, hardware, shrubs and plants, garden and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0b6c695-38ac-4461-90a7-587f75ef6a07" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9dc826f-0128-4a84-b898-3d2930dd6d84" grcontextid="agriculture:1">agriculture</span> equipment, promotional and marketing materials for operating the Hotel and for the cyclical re-furbishing undertaken from time to time in order to maintain the Hotel to the standards of the Sandals brand;</div>
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(ii) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19033842-3959-4a37-aabc-549f40a0fce5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ea9dfd4-0c56-4ace-964b-d3d0f28ce98a" grcontextid="consumables:0">consumables</span> for the operation of the Hotel, including but not limited to operating supplies, soft furnishings, printed materials, guest supplies, spa supplies, paper, stationery, books and spare parts for equipment; </div>
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(iii) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3993fa28-4306-4092-a8b5-be9f7a381536" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb520eec-0066-4f73-8c9c-810bb2a6a5cf" grcontextid="food:0">food</span>, alcohol and beverages;</div>
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(b) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04f4260e-85a4-4b19-b44a-6f3b9c1c74d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46fa7c6d-9ae9-4732-bfcf-e69aa3fef05c" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> import <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2e4bed1-4d86-43aa-8734-ead1071b10b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46fa7c6d-9ae9-4732-bfcf-e69aa3fef05c" grcontextid="duties taxes,:1">duties taxes,</span> imposts and levies of any nature whatsoever on all vehicles required for the operation of the Hotel including vehicle assigned to senior managers;</div>
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(c) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4e07a583-e0c2-439c-bbcb-b0c996547061" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f9f9dd4-c1d7-41ce-b255-1539049bada8" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> import <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="686805b5-0119-48e3-bdf8-244f39319dde" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f9f9dd4-c1d7-41ce-b255-1539049bada8" grcontextid="duties taxes,:1">duties taxes,</span> imposts and levies of any nature whatsoever on personal and household effects and vehicles for senior staff (as outlined in (b) above) who are contracted to work in Barbados and are not citizens or permanent residents of Barbados;</div>
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(d) Value Added Tax on the provision of services that directly relate to construction works or cyclical refurbishment of the Hotel undertaken from time to time in order to maintain the Hotel to the standards of the Sandals brand;</div>
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(e) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="096fb086-b28e-45ad-b22e-ba89457595d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eb37b19-7580-4a49-80ab-7d4dd11db7f6" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> import <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0849b4ef-9ca9-4075-ad50-c2e6a5853a70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eb37b19-7580-4a49-80ab-7d4dd11db7f6" grcontextid="duties taxes,:1">duties taxes,</span> imposts and levies of any nature whatsoever on all vehicles required for the operation of the Hotel including vehicle assigned to senior managers; </div>
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(f) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="398af273-a86b-4653-a55e-e585944a5695" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1caf38fc-4301-4e18-a2e4-b6b044e2943f" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> import <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c41c087-1fe7-43b8-8679-89c5cb75cd1e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1caf38fc-4301-4e18-a2e4-b6b044e2943f" grcontextid="duties taxes,:1">duties taxes,</span> imposts and levies of any nature whatsoever on personal and household effects and vehicles for staff who are contracted to work in Barbados and are not citizens or permanent residents of Barbados.</div>
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Jordan Samuda, group manager, procurement division of Sandals International, said the conglomerate was delighted with the terms of the concessions, which he described as competitive.</div>
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“The product that we will put out in Barbados will be one of the best that we put out anywhere in the Caribbean,” Samuda told the Nation via telephone from Jamaica.</div>
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<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d5178fb-de20-45cd-a8cd-84f21ad66031" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a203c06-5cbb-4f02-8307-192a2bdaf17f" grcontextid="Samuda:0">Samuda</span> said he did not think Sandals would have been able achieve the excellence their brand represented without the concessions, and noted that the tax breaks would allow them to able to keep their product in tune with the times.</div>
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“They allow you to put a product out for your guests that can compete with anybody worldwide. . . . Duty free concessions allow us to up the ante on the food and beverage product. You have the physical aspect which you can continue improving and continue investing in, you also have the daily food and beverage product that you are able to provide. </div>
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The Sandals executive praised the efficiency of Sinckler and the various civil servants, Customs and Port Authority for facilitating the group to swiftly get the relevant documentation and materials processed between the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Government on October 18 and the hotel’s opening on Wednesday.</div>
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He was particularly impressed with Sinckler, the Barbados Minister of Finance, saying: “Obviously the minister understands and can see what this level of investment in Barbados can do and will do.”</div>
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In his recent ministerial statement on the MOU between Government and Sandals International, Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy said the arrival of Sandals marked a “seismic shift for the tourism industry in Barbados” in its effort to capture a bigger share in the very competitive global tourism market.</div>
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“It is expected that these two properties will contribute annually in net terms, that is, the money to be retained by the taxi drivers providing transfers, the farmers; the 1 500 workers; the utility companies and others an amount in excess of BDS$100 million to the Barbadian economy.”"</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://suntci.com/barbados-government-gives-butch-stewart-concessions-worth-millions-of-dolla-p1121-108.htm">http://suntci.com/barbados-government-gives-butch-stewart-concessions-worth-millions-of-dolla-p1121-108.htm</a></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-89667208919495548002013-10-30T16:09:00.000-04:002013-10-30T16:09:46.166-04:00Is that a glimmering light at the end of the 4Seasons tunnel I see?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O73GWhV7rk/UnFjfxLpabI/AAAAAAAABSA/u_ZO5LTmKts/s1600/4seasons112913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O73GWhV7rk/UnFjfxLpabI/AAAAAAAABSA/u_ZO5LTmKts/s400/4seasons112913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Clearly, if the PM and the Minister of Finance are hiding from you, and you are being schmoozed by the St. Lucy MP (no offense intended), we already know where this deal is going - if it goes anywhere at all. All debts, including all political debts, must be paid before this project ever sees the light of day again. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0QhYstwQ_dIT0IyQWZ4Tnk3SzQ/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here to read about it all. </a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-68868183771998098052013-10-28T05:32:00.000-04:002013-10-28T09:45:51.105-04:00Just when we were beginning to think the ABV miasma couldn't get any worse, it just did ...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1cU0brEyRY/Um4uM6-yO-I/AAAAAAAABRw/iUnaXA9wUKA/s1600/102713_almond_plan-450x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1cU0brEyRY/Um4uM6-yO-I/AAAAAAAABRw/iUnaXA9wUKA/s400/102713_almond_plan-450x350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rump Almond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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"BY ROY R. MORRIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | SUN, OCTOBER 27, 2013 - 12:11 AM<br />
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Before Sandals <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a916b8ea-faf7-48cb-8dee-806c666115ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8566053a-22d5-4524-9f71-4af9ef2d2f41" grcontextid="takes:0">takes</span> one step into St Peter, Barbados will get another taste of Almond.<br />
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Well placed sources have revealed that the Ministry of Tourism has selected MW Sun Hotels Inc., owned by wealthy businessman Bernard Weatherhead, to reopen and operate the now mothballed Almond Beach Village at Heywoods, St Peter, for at least one year.<br />
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In fact, in correspondence obtained by the SUNDAY SUN, Weatherhead explained to chief executive officer of Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTI), Stuart Layne, that with an injection of $5.1 million from Government and speedy movement <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c65e6bb-23c1-46ab-91f7-571f3e1b5225" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5bad11ab-5e94-4b22-8b56-d34dff642745" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> Government’s operatives, they could have 138 rooms and related facilities ready to receive guests in mid January, missing only the first few weeks of the 2013-2015 winter tourist season. BTI is looking after <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72b81a0a-b342-4bb7-99d6-9900183ba5b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b65ab7a-f81c-4d46-9e4c-615ebbc2ec3d" grcontextid="Government’s interest:0">Government’s interest</span> at Almond Resorts.<br />
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Government is anxious to get the once popular 500-room all-inclusive resort reopened again, but recognize that even with the agreement with Sandals of Jamaica to take over the property, bulldoze and rebuild it as a family resort, its doors will not be thrown open until 24 to 36 months after construction begins – and the date for that could be as much as two years away, sources said."<br />
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2 comments<br />
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POSTED BY TONY WEBSTER<br />
As Alice said, "this gets curiouser and curiouser"<br />
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The Mad Hatter, apparently, is in charge of plan A; plan B, and also plan "maybe". What a fantastic "mortar"...replete with two pestles, and endless of "possibilities" therein!<br />
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We could of course, retain the Almond at ground level, and then build the Sandals, on level two...with a lovely view. On the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="791efaa4-f3f9-43f9-a43d-fa0cfb9e1809" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a1943a2f-ca31-48b6-b68d-6b846f11f80b" grcontextid="roof-top:0">roof-top</span>, a heliport would allow for Virgin Atlantic passengers, to be swiftly ferried to and from GAIA...a first in the Caribbean! To facilitate a smooth transition, (if our patience is rewarded this time around), we could coin a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06082e24-e4fb-4003-a40c-a2f313a3b9cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a74fbf5-da8d-44ae-a7b5-903a91f5c42b" grcontextid="catch-all:0">catch-all</span> brand: "SANDMONDS". Get the URL registered now!<br />
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Mr. Editor: you sure you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8b5c8be-6044-4e3b-ab0f-60a520a24fda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c8d6e94-7216-4c94-b01e-a9e464042f0f" grcontextid="ain't pick:0">ain't pick</span> up <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb2cd15f-6d89-404a-8cb4-fe3a52d6404f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c8d6e94-7216-4c94-b01e-a9e464042f0f" grcontextid="de:1">de</span> wrong end of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9084d95b-31a6-4e39-ba29-359f9a3ea92f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c8d6e94-7216-4c94-b01e-a9e464042f0f" grcontextid="de:2">de</span> stick?<br />
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POSTED BY ORSON ARTHUR<br />
I know we have people in Barbados that<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5448fa3-ba3d-47aa-ab42-bb52637a1144" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4080ad07-bf30-46ba-b9ae-f508eb832606" grcontextid="can:0">can</span> get that hotel going.<br />
I don't trust Stuart as far as I can see him.<br />
Always remember Paradise hotel. Now he would<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14fe4914-a23b-4f8c-af7c-3b0ca52bc448" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4258758-25cb-466f-b32e-9c586bc2bb75" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> to tie this one up also. I agree that it can be back in operation and bring in some money for the country. MR. Weatherhead I know you are going to do a good job. May God be with you and your team"<br />
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Source: http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/almond-again/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-15039776875823558042013-10-16T09:47:00.000-04:002013-10-16T10:06:18.160-04:00The Slow-Selling/No-Selling "One Sandy Lane" (formerly The Sands) Just Hit The Jackpot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHvxpZVvx8U/Ul6X5QHGPmI/AAAAAAAABRY/hM1UYdk6KKs/s1600/1sandylane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHvxpZVvx8U/Ul6X5QHGPmI/AAAAAAAABRY/hM1UYdk6KKs/s400/1sandylane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; min-height: 1px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 1.2em;">"Superstar Rihanna has splashed out $22million on a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91df66e5-713f-45ab-94be-dcfd7279b48b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6687404a-bec5-4086-8d9b-415365520118" grcontextid="beachside:0">beachside</span> home on the Caribbean island of Barbados - after renting the same property last year. </span><span style="font-size: 1.2em;">The 25-year-old singer has bought a home at the luxurious One Sandy Lane resort on the island where she was born and raised. </span><span style="font-size: 1.2em;">Rihanna always returns to her native Barbados for Christmas and last year </span><span style="font-size: 1.2em;">revealed she rented the same five-bed condo and planned on her mother Monica Braithwaite and younger brother Rajad joining her."</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2459291/Rihanna-splashes-22m-Barbados-beachside-home.html#ixzz2htL7aSgO" target="_blank">Read more ...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-22560636615472934142013-09-12T15:44:00.000-04:002013-09-12T15:47:19.459-04:00Will Butch Stewart do to ABV what he did to PBC ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/images/gordon_butch_stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/images/gordon_butch_stewart.jpg" /></a></div>
... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8116c15a-fb0a-4dc5-8be8-7b44b3310813" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e664a2a-633d-41d2-ada4-b1bdb219a354" grcontextid="shutter:0">shutter</span> it up and run it down for a million years, then dump it? Can't say I am excited about this deal at all, at all, at all:<br />
<br />
<br />
"The future of the Almond Beach Village property at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f8bff19-d4b4-48d5-8158-34eaafbca325" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa1abee0-4b26-4270-88a9-dc971f4b5924" grcontextid="Heywoods:0">Heywoods</span> in St. Peter, as planned by <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="070faf78-306b-4afb-9f51-4bd28c7af180" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ee64c9e-4a41-43a8-9c69-5b78f61787e9" grcontextid="Government:0">Government</span>, is starting to take shape.<br />
<br />
Barbados TODAY has learnt that the Freundel Stuart Cabinet has determined it will purchase the property from Neal and Massy of Trinidad for US$53 million, with an initial cash payment of US$25 million and the balance of US$28 million being paid over three years at an interest rate that is still to be agreed between the two parties.<br />
<br />
Additionally, after an initial Cabinet decision instructed the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56db9db1-eda6-4db9-bc2c-747303ab2806" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20ef53d5-eb49-4ca7-ac47-28ca58a1ca74" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> work with Sandals Resort International “to have a Sandals Beaches Resort in Barbados within three to four weeks”, that body last week determined that Sandals be given the nod to operate and manage a rebuilt Almond under the Beaches brand, with an option to purchase the property at a future date.<br />
<br />
In a very brief dismissal of the only competing written offer, a Cabinet document titled Long-term Operator for the Almond Beach Village at Heywoods, St. Peter, stated:<br />
<br />
“<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c58ec571-dcfb-4f30-8dad-dbd350cd0ae8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="add6652c-0208-41dd-93db-a2554271bb4b" grcontextid="Crane:0">Crane</span> Resorts <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36d3f23f-0615-40fc-ad97-cf69c3da6410" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="add6652c-0208-41dd-93db-a2554271bb4b" grcontextid="proposes:1">proposes</span> to buy one-third of the property for one-third of the purchase price paid by the Government, with an option to purchase the remaining two thirds … in the future. The plan would be for the development of the villa accommodation for sale by way of time share. There is also a proposal for the short term operation of Almond…<br />
<br />
“This proposal is quite similar to the existing Crane model, which involves building accommodation based on sales and may therefore take a full decade to fully <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1238716-e9c7-445f-9a96-3c990fde1222" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3d94577-b783-4cd1-9e02-ce272f83dd52" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> its potential. It will therefore fail to achieve increased visitor arrivals in the next few years and will be unable to assist Barbados in protecting its airlift.”<br />
<br />
On the other hand, the document explained, the Sandals proposal involved the building of a 426-room, all-inclusive family resort “which will allow Barbados to regain its share of the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df36d08d-9aae-46de-a254-f41623a4b989" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea390271-965b-4fc7-90d8-20c7234b8c67" grcontextid="families:0">families</span> market which was lost with the closure of Almond Resorts. These will be large family rooms with on average six persons per room.”<br />
<br />
Based on the calculations made, this potentially will result in an additional 112,684 visitors to Barbados annually.<br />
<br />
“This large number of visitors will protect airlift for the entire tourism industry in Barbados and contribute to an increase in visitor spending. It is also worthy of note that Almond, at its peak, accounted for an additional 25,000 visitors annually. The Sandals proposal would increase this number by a factor in excess of four…<br />
<br />
“While it can be argued that the issue of a long-term operator <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33aed5ec-43e4-424b-8a41-82af1a57f864" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2585d89-4fea-429e-bf08-60dd1990af00" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> the Heywoods property should be the subject of a public tender, it is the view of the Ministry of Tourism that the need for the return of the room inventory to production is extremely urgent.<br />
<br />
“In addition, it is also believed that a tendering process is unlikely to result in a better operator than Sandals since the only other major all-inclusive operator in the Caribbean region was Almond Resorts Inc., which is now closed.<br />
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“The Sandals proposal also addresses all of the national tourism objectives as follows:<br />
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* An increase in the number of long-stay visitors that come to Barbados each <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f523ded2-80e0-4fd5-88e0-8c41f83aa616" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5281915d-ae15-4222-9a44-5d50d9ff9776" grcontextid="years:0">years</span>; and<br />
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* Protection of existing airlift in critical source markets,” the document stated.<br />
<br />
“It should be noted that Barbados stands to gain substantial exposure as a result of the marketing and promotional might of the Sandals brand. The company has indicated that experience in other destinations <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5fd17c3f-b7bf-459f-837a-f8e7e90994ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="940b38b5-44d8-4ad7-bd44-2d325d03c03c" grcontextid="show:0">show</span> that the mere announcement that a Sandals property is to be constructed … is enough to generate interest from the airlines.”<br />
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Given this approach, the Ministry of Tourism recommended that Cabinet invokes Section 239 of the Financial Management and Audit Act for authority to achieve its objective without inviting tenders, but instead through “direct negotiations in accordance with arrangements as the Cabinet directs”.<br />
<br />
“The Ministry of Tourism is satisfied that this matter is urgent and that there are no other operators as capable as Sandals in assisting Barbados to maintain its share of the all-inclusive tourism market, while protecting airlift into Barbados,” Cabinet was told.<br />
<br />
The challenge for Barbados with the Sandals proposal, however, is that it could take at least a month for an agreement to be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fe27c1f-8470-4088-9c6c-20f4015e0a89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="679a9a47-b73b-42a8-aec4-505609137820" grcontextid="finalised:0">finalised</span> and a further 24 to 36 months of construction.<br />
<br />
“This would mean that unless a short-term plan is developed there would be no activity at Heywoods over a three- to four-year period … when the tourism industry in Barbados is short of hotel rooms,” it added.<br />
<br />
Following BTI investigations, it has been determined that it may be feasible to operate the 120-room southern block, which is still fully furnished with functioning utilities, to meet <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47d44869-0041-4a9f-b039-1b4c7f5f6cf6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6824e84-aac6-41cc-9677-c78271a2a466" grcontextid="needs:0">needs</span> from the Canadian and United Kingdom markets. This would accommodate up to 8,700 visitors over a 12-month period."<br />
<br />
Source: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2013/09/11/almond-to-be-bulldozed-and-replaced-by-426-room-beaches-resort/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-91459644556182020482013-07-17T10:41:00.001-04:002013-07-17T10:44:13.761-04:00Saving Speightstown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/revivingspeightstowngesture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://cdn.barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/revivingspeightstowngesture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2013/07/16/saving-speightstown/">Saving Speightstown | Barbados Today</a>: "A project to save the once bustling historic Speightstown from further decline, has been launched by a businessman who has been operating in that northern town for the past 18 years.<br />
<br />
Pierre Spenard, manager of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d61956b-e641-4136-a11d-e16de67fb397" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="093ea09d-4723-4682-b66e-dc9393b5ad1e" grcontextid="Lattitude:0">Lattitude</span> Beach Bar and Grill, the former Mango By The Sea, this afternoon unveiled his vision for bringing back life to the place which once came close to rivaling Bridgetown for commerce. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ff5352d-aa87-4fec-a9b7-1b4573b7f995" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ef4ecc3-d5e9-4e4d-ba88-ffdefc8ff0a5" grcontextid="Spenard:0">Spenard</span> said his project envisaged the creation of a venue at his Lattitude Beach Bar and Grill where Barbadians and visitors could dine at an affordable cost and enjoy top quality “live” entertainment..."<br />
<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2013/07/16/saving-speightstown/" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21410418-76fa-487a-8d30-728af7df175e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edf2a217-4df5-4e35-a838-e694dec27ac7" grcontextid="via:0">via</span> Blog this'</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-51077005464940590002013-06-14T16:06:00.000-04:002013-06-14T16:06:01.904-04:00Up close and personal | Barbados Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFRccRhk1L4/Ubt3BVZpOuI/AAAAAAAABQg/6Voiw3uQ7fQ/s1600/mia+mullins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFRccRhk1L4/Ubt3BVZpOuI/AAAAAAAABQg/6Voiw3uQ7fQ/s400/mia+mullins2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
"The Barbados <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a432c81-6560-4e59-91ca-03cb8e02bf11" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="346508e5-9f17-4f10-af57-c520a6ff6f98" grcontextid="Labour:0">Labour</span> Party’s Shadow Minister <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d9afe6a-5a09-46b9-b16c-2b7aed92967e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="346508e5-9f17-4f10-af57-c520a6ff6f98" grcontextid="on:1">on</span> Tourism, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1499e03-9da3-4101-9607-0ecd4c9f8933" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="346508e5-9f17-4f10-af57-c520a6ff6f98" grcontextid="Santia:2">Santia</span> Bradshaw, says her party is not trying to scare Barbadians, but the island is facing a serious and very dire situation.<br />
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She, along with Opposition Leader Mia Mottley and other BLP members toured Mullins Beach in St. Peter today as part of a continued exercise to learn about the issues affecting Barbadians, particularly those in the tourism sector. Bradshaw said the concerns of Barbadians were real, and pleaded with the Government to, if it really cares about what was happening to this country and the direction it is going in, listen to what people are saying on the ground.<br />
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“There is no relief coming, there is no consultation taking place with any of the people we have spoken to throughout the course of this exercise, explaining to them what direction Barbados is going, what are the plans to resuscitate the industry and certainly what is the vision for the Barbados economy,” she stressed.<br />
<br />
“Most of these people are impacted by high electricity rates, impacted by high water rates… VAT as well is also affecting their ability to sustain themselves and families. So in a very depressed climate we have a situation where there are very few tourists coming in and they still have to grapple with the day to day expenses of daily living.”<br />
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Bradshaw continued: “Our partners in the rest of the Caribbean are all exceeding their expectations as far as the sector is concerned, but Barbados is unfortunately lagging behind. It is clear from the people who prop up this sector that there is no light at the end of the tunnel in terms of where we are going as a destination.<br />
<br />
“You would have heard the Leader of the Opposition speak yesterday about the … million tourists we are <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41f60f11-2356-4251-aa27-15b31198e771" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28fe72d5-b89b-425e-bd03-151b4a3dc3ff" grcontextid="projecting:0">projecting</span> to have come to Barbados to support this industry; it is not an unrealistic expectation. At the end of the day we believe in the sector…, we understand that this is the life bread of the Barbados economy.<br />
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“It not only supports <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa845794-d379-4cbf-a772-ddeb9aba1851" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac0a5d1c-710d-4184-9ba0-3ec5612b808a" grcontextid="the large:0">the large</span> hotels but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ad4cf70-ebe6-4a46-86d9-139d7c609b04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac0a5d1c-710d-4184-9ba0-3ec5612b808a" grcontextid="the small:1">the small</span> hotels, the vendors on the beach, the tour operators, the people who are doing the wire bending, every single aspect of our sustenance in this country is propped up by the tourism industry and as such we would expect the Barbados Government would pay more urgent attention to the section.<br />
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“When you hear the statistics — they are just statistics — but they come to life when we actually go and talk to the people and we hear the real stories,” said Bradshaw.<br />
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The first-term parliamentarian further urged the Freundal Stuart Administration to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c49cf53-cd35-4fee-b016-569522435320" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54adce01-f244-4b18-a143-dd84174cc29f" grcontextid="actualise:0">actualise</span> an urgent plan which would bring about change in the tourism industry. She stated that the Government had promised a “tourism master plan” in December but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="954e71bc-7318-4812-b487-b2b563c65e4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d119bbef-8745-4082-a29a-df74a589cf9c" grcontextid="emphasised:0">emphasised</span> the after hearing the stories of persons across the country “we can no longer wait until December for a master plan”.<br />
<br />
“We already have the tourism white paper, a lot of the information in that document are things that would have been left there from a Barbados <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25ea6007-2cb3-413f-a6e9-c6d8bead1f06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cbbe40d2-0e77-4745-8ef8-082ac976bbee" grcontextid="Labour:0">Labour</span> Party administration. We know what it is that is needed to resuscitate the sector and make Barbados more competitive.<br />
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“And whilst the paper would have been brought before Parliament just before the elections we are now three months after the election and we are still in a position [where] we do not have a plan … to bring about change in the tourism industry,” she said.<br />
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“We are a vulnerable Caribbean island, we are susceptible to the hurricanes and beach erosion and these are things that we need to be talking about as a country. These are things that we have to be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16abe2fc-d09f-4ef2-acda-37842545fed6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c657364-bf3c-4b7c-a9bb-2652f18444b0" grcontextid="preparing:0">preparing</span> for because we well know people come here… not just for sea and sand.<br />
<br />
“So we must ensure the attractions are of a particular standard as well as our hotels, both small and large, and we have to ensure that the people who continue to make a living — want to make a living — in this sector are able to do so.”<br />
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The politicians also visited Dover Beach in Christ Church, Peeble’s Beach, St. Michael and the beach in Holetown, St. James."<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2013/06/14/up-close-and-personal/"><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>Up close and personal | Barbados Today</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
<span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-7387624571353838152013-06-07T01:03:00.000-04:002013-06-07T01:03:17.560-04:00Holetown beaches not closed | Barbados Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/beachworkatholetownjetski-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://cdn.barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/beachworkatholetownjetski-300x199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2013/06/06/holetown-beaches-not-closed/"><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>Holetown beaches not closed | Barbados Today</a>: "West coast beaches in the Holetown area are still very much open for frolick and R&R — just not in the construction zone.<br />
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The clarification came this afternoon from Acting Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit, Dr. Lorna Inniss, who said that the beach was still open but contractors were advising the public to stay away from the active construction zone.<br />
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“The beach is not closed. The active construction zone, they are encouraging people to stay out and they are trying to make sure that they do in the area where the vehicles are, but the beach is not closed — no it is not,” she stated.<br />
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This construction is part of phase two of the Coastal Risk Assessment and Management Programme which began on April 15 and runs until November 30."<br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
<span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-17342742099080788832013-06-02T02:10:00.002-04:002013-06-06T12:57:30.758-04:00More Four Seasons Intrigue <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gS2qoOCR3ak/UarhNQY_OOI/AAAAAAAABO8/fx3VRYMWcXE/s1600/four+seasons+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gS2qoOCR3ak/UarhNQY_OOI/AAAAAAAABO8/fx3VRYMWcXE/s1600/four+seasons+101.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
One continues to wonder why a prestigious brand like Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts allows its flag to be dragged around in the mud in Barbados in this fashion:<br />
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<i>"A group of Italian developers has cried foul over the pricing for restarting construction of the much-talked-about Four Seasons Resort and Residences project at Paradise, St Michael.</i><br />
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<i>They claim that the stalled project is considerably over-priced and want the Freundel Stuart Government to get involved “to iron out a balanced and reliable solution based on fairness and transparency rather than greed and selfishness”.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“Value of the site (Four Seasons Resort and Residences project) is nowhere near the US$105 million,” Elio Raccah, spokesman for the group, told <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76b91c38-df82-4a2e-a0ab-57a92bc44892" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6c6e1eb-5cb5-43f2-abb1-01c9ea3ddc0d" grcontextid="SUNDAY SUN:0">SUNDAY SUN</span> in a telephone <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50a3d08e-a338-4ef6-8f47-5591dd703222" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6c6e1eb-5cb5-43f2-abb1-01c9ea3ddc0d" grcontextid="link-up:1">link-up</span> from Italy.</i><br />
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<i>“Someone asserts that the works have been paid about US$60 million but where has the remaining US$45 million added value to the project?”</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But Avinash Persaud, executive chairman of Paradise Beach Limited, developer for the Four Seasons project, has dismissed the Italians’ claim and hinted that before <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c7bd683-2645-46cf-81a0-63e985389131" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed2a2c6e-61a7-44bd-aa7c-94fd030b2e14" grcontextid="monthend:0">monthend</span>, a recommendation could be made to Government for the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="547d38d2-2e93-49d6-89ba-fe16be9b86eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed2a2c6e-61a7-44bd-aa7c-94fd030b2e14" grcontextid="take-over:1">take-over</span> of the former Paradise Beach Hotel site."</i><br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/hot-price/">NationNews.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651822986017865204.post-55747591790046085382013-05-31T09:33:00.000-04:002013-05-31T10:00:47.272-04:00Pared Down Plans For Royal Westmoreland's Expansion Inching Forward ...Maybe? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76G-QkDwl20/Uaijp2aHzlI/AAAAAAAABOc/MvFz225ipVE/s1600/rwm+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76G-QkDwl20/Uaijp2aHzlI/AAAAAAAABOc/MvFz225ipVE/s400/rwm+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"Efforts are on to salvage a $150 million luxury golf, residential and hotel project which has been waiting in the wings for more than three years.<br />
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Barbados TODAY has learnt that high-level talks involving senior members of the Freundel Stuart Administration and Royal Westmoreland are underway in an attempt to get that St. James luxury development’s expansion onto the nearby Lancaster Plantation property it owns underway.<br />
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Discussions have already been held with Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Darcy Boyce is chairing a working group on the matter.<br />
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The major sticking point continues to be the granting of approval for the construction of a $4.4 million reservoir Royal Westmoreland officials said was necessary for the 18 hole championship golf course, hotel and other residences.<br />
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These developments were confirmed today by the Royal Westmoreland Construction Director, Ian Putley, who was cautiously optimistic about the likelihood a positive outcome within the coming months.<br />
<br />
“We are currently in discussion with a working group led by Senator Darcy Boyce who is trying to get the confirmation of compliance with Town & Country Development Planning conditions letter,” the official told Barbados TODAY..."<br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2013/05/30/pond-fix/" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Westmoreland, Barbados13.2182092 -59.626184913.210480200000001 -59.636269899999995 13.2259382 -59.6160999