The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@gtribunemedia.net

THE International Bazaar – once the heart and soul of Freeport - has lost its allure and has fallen into a state of disrepair.

The once attractive and bustling landmark is now an obscure, filthy mess and a graveyard of abandoned vacant stores, with only a handful of struggling merchants and straw vendors with nowhere else to go.

During a visit to the area on Wednesday, The Tribune was shocked at the run down and unkempt condition of the bazaar and the nearby former Royal Oasis Hotel property.

There were piles of debris and fallen tree branches everywhere while building structures are dilapidated and falling apart. But, worst of all, the main entrance to the arcade, which was known for its beautiful ornate tiles, was dirty and littered with rubbish – clearly a sign of neglect.

The bazaar is a far cry from its former glory in the early 80s to the early 2000s.

“It’s sad that this place has come down to this – it’s an eyesore,” one man told The Tribune.

The huge red Tori-gate – a popular landmark – served as a resting spot for a homeless man lying on the pavement beneath it. The only merchants remaining are the Chinese owners, and a small number of straw vendors, many of whom had left and closed their shops early around noon yesterday.

“There used to be 35 of us out here, there are only 12 now,” said a female vendor. While The Tribune toured the area, surprisingly a tour bus stopped and offloaded a number of cruise ship passengers who bypassed the market and made a direct beeline across the street to the Perfume Factory and a liquor store.

“They (the visitors) don’t come to the straw market here,” the vendor said.

Deputy Leader of the FNM Peter Turnquest said that the bazaar was once a hub of economic/commercial activity in Freeport.

“The reality is Freeport needs another business hub and the bazaar represents a history that is well worthy of being resurrected,” he said.

Mr Turnquest said the Port Authority has in the past to their credit tried to create an environment that would have been conducive and affordable for businesses to set up in the area.

“We need to find ways to create additional incentives and direct subvention for the owners of the property,” said the East Grand Bahama MP.

The Bazaar Owners Association President Chris Paine was off the island and could not be reached for comment. The Hotel Workers Union also owns a majority of the stores in the bazaar.

“Mr Paine has really done as much as he could do for the bazaar; the hotel union owns a significant portion and needs to step up to the plate, or sell the property,” said Mr Turnquest.

Mr Turnquest noted that that the activity at the bazaar was tied to the nearby hotel.

“When that was allowed to sit dormant, it was the beginning of the end (for the bazaar),” he added.

“Without serious incentive to encourage businesses to go out there to attract people to the area, the area will continue on a downward spiral.”

“The opening of the road which has been much talked about, but again no action has been taken with respect to that. If we were able to get the road reopened and to create a façade that is attractive and looks like something going on you might get the tour operators and locals involved. But there is no doubt that that is going to require a lot in order to be rehabilitated,” Mr Turnquest said.