Shop owners at Oistins Bay Garden have welcomed what they describe as much-needed upgrades to the area, totalling nearly $5 million as the government gears up for the Men’s T20 World Cup.
The vendors who spoke to Barbados TODAY expressed gratitude for the improvements and eagerly anticipated their positive impact on their businesses and the community on a whole.
“We are unanimously grateful for the World Cup,” said Kemar Harris, the president of Oistins Bay Garden. “I am happy for the upgrades that firstly are coming to Oistins Bay Garden but also stretching to the entirety of Oistins including the vegetable and fish vendors. A lot of things that the association and its members were lobbying for for years are now actually coming to fruition. The area is recorded as the second most interesting place in tourism in Barbados so the upgrade is [greatly] needed.”
The improvements include better lighting, a repaved parking lot, better drainage, an improved stage area and beach beautification.
The 32-shop village will also receive a facelift with each shop being repainted, and new tents for the seating areas.
Oistins Bay Garden is earmarked as one of the World Cup fan zones, inviting additional visitors to watch the matches on a giant screen while enjoying the iconic fish fry and entertainment spot’s fare.
Harris revealed that while the vendors have agreed to remain open in spite of the ongoing renovations, opening hours have been adjusted to facilitate the work.
He said: “We had a meeting and indicated to the members that we will not close entirely. The shops employ a lot of people so we can’t disadvantage them like that. Closing is not practical so what we’ve decided to do is continue our usual Friday night Fish Fry that goes until 2 a.m. but on Mondays to Thursdays, we will close at 11 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, we open at 8 a.m. and finish at 12 p.m. So, it functions along with the people that are working. Some of the work can be done during the day, then the bigger work, we do at night.”
Vendors have expressed gratitude for the improvements, declaring they are unbothered by the inconveniences caused by the works as they are able to see the bigger picture.
Asha Jaisingh, who operates the Mac Dee’s Shop, said: “They have to do renovation in order to see progress and see a better future. It’s okay if I have to clean up a little every day because if they don’t do the renovation, how are we going to get a proper place for the customers? The discomfort is just for a little time so I can’t say that I’m affected in any way.”
Heather Trotman of Sea Water Front said she hopes to double her customer base and sales during the June tournament: “I am happy that we have a World Cup coming and I think that we here in Oistins Bay Garden will benefit a lot from it. I can already see that Oistins will be very beautiful when it’s all finished.”
Owner and operator of the Angels Cafeteria and Seafood Grill, Susette Gerald Bispham, told Barbados TODAY that she will also be doing some renovations of her own to ensure her “little spot doesn’t get lost among the crowd”.
“I am doing a lot more outside signage,” she said. “I will also have my TV and my Internet up and running, waiting for the World Cup so those who walk away from the big screen to get food here can still enjoy the show while they wait or eat. I’m grateful for the painting they will be doing on the outside of the shop and I will be complimenting that with internal painting.”
The vendor also revealed that she has since made changes to her menu to include options for children, desserts and more alcohol specials.
