Almond closure called Category 4

Mia Mottley. (FP)

By Ryan Gilkes | Mon, April 16, 2012 - 12:08 AM

Government has been warned that the impending closure of the Almond resorts in Barbados can hammer the proverbial nail in the country’s economic coffin.

The warning came from Opposition Leader Owen Arthur and his party colleague MP Mia Mottley ahead of the planned closure of the all-inclusive Almond Beach Village and the proposed sale of Almond Casuarina and Almond Beach Club.

Speaking yesterday during the nomination meeting for the BLP’s St Thomas constituency branch at the Sharon Primary School, Mottley said that given the troubled state of the island’s economy Government had no choice but to do what was necessary to protect jobs at Almond Beach.

“Almond Beach is responsible for 60 000 tourists coming to Barbados yearly. That is one in ten tourists a year. If you close Almond, you are going to lose the airlift capacity.

“It doesn’t matter that Sandy Lane or whoever can take more in the short term because you didn’t have the planes flying to bring the people here,” she said.

Read the full story in today's DAILY NATION.

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Posted by Bim Bum 1 year, 1 month ago: Almond is DEAD. Get over it.

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Posted by Belle Brewster 1 year, 1 month ago: I think it is a great idea to let the owners of Crane buy and develop the Village property. They have done a fantastic job in St. Philip, service is excellent and any inconveniences minor. The property itself is one of the best in Barbados and they also offer locals excellent rates. With much of the present staff coming from St. Peter, St. Lucy and St. James a hotel is what is needed in the area rather than condos, to keep the bulk of these persons employed. A hotel is more beneficial in keeping Speightstown, an already dying town, alive.

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Posted by wayne husbands 1 year, 1 month ago: why are we addressing a closing which has already be decided rather than pursue a direction leading to sale/purchase/lease of the properties.and focus on revitalization of the venture.let us not forget that Mia was sitting at the table when the announcement was made, she was a representative to one[shareholder]responsible for the closing. the fact that the BLP is using the 500 workers and the thousands affected by the closing as a political"bull pistle" is an insult to the people of barbados. did the BLP had the foresight when they encouraged/allowed almond resorts to purchase 2 additional properties in st lucia.the sad thing here is that they are playing political games at the expense of peoples livelihood. what we need is an aggressive sale/transfer of ownership of the properties and prevent another eyesore on the map. and please tell me why do they find it neccessary to mention sandy lane when we all know that sandy lane will not take any of almonds perspective guests. that is the'modus operandi'of the BLP "support the big ups and step on the sufferahs" ps. will mia mottley free up her share of the sale to the people of barbados who stand to suffer from the closing or does she agree to transfer the funds to the st.lucian properties that are being operated at a profit for the time being?

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Posted by Pan Wallie 1 year, 1 month ago: Well said @ Hushands. Agree with you @Brewster, I would go with the Crane prospects too. Them other opportunists got my left eye jumping.

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Posted by wayne husbands 1 year, 1 month ago: THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF POLITICS IN BARBADOS "PARTY OVER PEOPLE"
REMEMBER WHEN ARTHUR BLISTER HER .... AND SHE WAS SAYING HOW HE HAD NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN.. LICKS SOON START AGAIN