ST NICHOLAS ABBEY has reopened its doors to the public.

The St Peter property, which was under renovations since April this year, is now owned by Larry Warren and his family after being in the hands of a number of British families since 1627.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday, attended by Prime Minister Owen Arthur and his wife Julie, Warren said the project was a worthwhile legacy for his family and Barbados.

He said it would provide employment opportunities for Barbadians living in the surrounding areas. And to ensure it remained an authentic heritage site, Warren said a number of objectives had been established: to preserve and protect the existing buildings and surroundings for future generations and for historical and cultural research; to create a sustainable and viable cottage industry in sugar integrated with tourism and to reduce the debt through the development of lands.

"The overall result of these objectives is to ensure that St Nicholas is sustainable and this is central to the entire project. I hope that, one day, if all of the plans are realised that the entire plantation will be established, in its own right, as a UNESCO World Heritage site, protecting and preserving not only the buildings but the land and ensuring that the plantation yard remains surrounded by sugar cane as it has been for more than 356 years," stated Warren.

He said future plans for St Nicholas Abbey included the branding of rum and sugar and other local products for sale within the toursim market and for export.

"The trademark is currently registered in Canada and Europe and we are awaiting registration in the United States and locally here at home.

"It is hoped that within three to six years and with additional investment, that the existing mill and factory will be restored to produce sugar, molasses and rum, creating a unique cottage industry which will promote a quality product integrated with tourism to help sustain the whole project."

These long term plans, he noted, would also provide employment for the people, particularly those living in the immediate area. (MW)