CREDITORS may have to wait a few months before they get the substantial sums owed to them, but Monday’s reopening of Trimart Supermarket is bound to be a relief for them.
President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce, Andy Armstrong, and acting president of the Barbados Agricultural Society, Wendell Clarke, are delighted to see the Haggatt Hall outlet open its doors for the first time in three weeks.
Armstrong said the company needed to trade to pay the more than 300 creditors.
“Unless Trimart can trade and bring some money in, they have no chance of paying off their creditors. So for those who normally shop at Trimart, I hope you will continue to support them,” he said.
Clarke echoed similar sentiments.
“For us to get back any money, we have to ensure that the doors of Trimart continue to be open so that we can survive. We will also be looking to ensure that the kind of credit facilities will be more feasible and practical for us that we won’t find ourselves in a similar situation.”
Clarke, who is also president of the Barbados Egg & Poultry Association, acknowledged that the impasse had had some impact on the cash flow of the small farmers.
“It has impacted all of us. It is affecting our cash flow. We need the money. In poultry, the feed is very expensive and you need the money to pay our suppliers,” he said.
One creditor, who preferred anonymity, told the SATURDAY SUN, that Trimart had to reevaluate their business structure and streamline their management team.
“Clearly, they can’t continue to operate the way they have done in the past. They are clearly top-heavy with far too many managers with lofty salaries.
“The advent of ANSA McAL is bound to change things. They are a no-nonsense organisation who will take charge in a positive way.” (MK)