The St Lucy MP said he had proposed to the owners of Sandy Lane years ago that instead of bulldozing its old hotel in order to rebuild, it should have invested in the north and expanded the Sandy Lane brand to St Lucy. However, this was ignored, he said.

Calling it a lack of foresight, Kellman said that advice, along with the offer to the previous Government of a prime St Lucy location to berth cargo ships, should have been heeded.

Declaring that the Democratic Labour Party was back to correct these and other wrongs, he said the current move to develop Harrisons, St Lucy for tourism-related activity – a joint Government and private sector project – was not new since the former naval base there had provided tremendous opportunities for residents of St Lucy, St Peter and St James to rent their homes to naval staff.

"We have three branches of Almond in Barbados and one in St Lucia. Since Sandy Lane did not accept what was offered in St Lucy, then let's go with Almond Beach.

"Growing an indigenous brand creates an opportunity for a unique tourism experience and a chance to develop the island more," he explained. (RJ)