Unease over proposed Bay Street land sale

Small business owners operating from Savvy On The Bay on Bay Street, St Michael, are expressing concern and confusion following an advertisement signalling the sale of nearby Government-owned land, despite assurances from Minister of Housing and Lands Chris Gibbs that they have “nothing to fear” .

Among those uneasy about the development is business operator Dixie Garraway, who questioned why the land was not being offered to the individual who already invested heavily in developing the Savvy area. “If they are going to put it for sale, why they don’t sell it to the person who has already developed the Savvy area? He already put all his money and effort into it. I don’t think it’s fair to give it to someone else. It ain’t make no sense,” Garraway said.

She also raised questions about the rationale behind the move, noting that access to the area is already adequate. “Yes there’s already good public access so I don’t think I’m fully following why the decision is being made,” she added, stressing that Savvy On The Bay has become a space that attracts both locals and tourists. “I love the way that out here is developed. It’s a nice place that attracts both locals and tourists. I don’t see why they should take it away.”

Another business operator, who asked to be identified as Star, echoed similar sentiments, calling for greater transparency. “To be honest, I’m not sure it really makes sense. I think there needs to be some transparency. Why sell the land now? What is the reason?” she asked .

While acknowledging the minister’s reassurance, Star said she still feared the implications. “I know he’s saying that there’s nothing to fear but to me there is . . . it isn’t fair to all of us entrepreneurs who have built up a fan base out here to now be possibly moved and have to basically start over from scratch,” she said, adding that Savvy’s location plays a key role in its success.

An anonymous business owner was more blunt, describing the situation as “trouble”.

Clear dialogue

“When they sell it, I would like to know how it will be to our benefit. There needs to be an open and clear dialogue of what will happen to us and how we can continue to operate,” he said, appealing to Government not to “leave us in the dark and leave us to fend for ourselves” .

Gibbs said the acquisition process related specifically to the adjacent car park and was a standard legal procedure aimed at enhancing the area while preserving public beach access. He maintained that Government’s long-term vision fully integrates the 15 existing businesses, the majority of which are food truck vendors, noting that they were initially granted limited leases on land that has always been Government-owned, and insisted that the objective remains: encouraging entrepreneurship, not shutting businesses down.

When contacted a source close to land-owner Allan Kinch, said the ongoing legal battle for the land had been exhausting.

“This has all been a lot on all of us as a family and we have had many calls of concern from Barbados and around many parts of the world. I am disappointed and concerned. I am praying not just for ourselves and our family but for this country and indeed the world.”

She further maintained that Kinch owned all of the property inclusive of the carpark and the area used by the vendors.

Kinch bought the beachfront property in 2015 from the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. when it was advertised for sale. He was chosen as the highest bidder and part of the sale was that it be used for tourism purposes. However, upon returning to Government the Barbados Labour Party began to pursue acquisition of three parcels of the land.

Yesterday a government official told the Sunday Sun that Government was seeking to compulsorily acquire only the car park space while insisting that the vendors would not be touched.

“If Mr Kinch is allowed to maintain the carpark he can close it at any time and it is our intention to have it remain as parking space for the public.”

(DDS/MB)

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