The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Obie Wilchcombe has emphasised the importance of keeping a Bahamian flavour at the Port Lucaya Marketplace, which is expected to undergo significant upgrades under new owner Peter Hunt.

In March, the UK investor acquired the location for $5.5m from Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd. It consists of 40 stores and boutiques, 14 restaurants, six bars and three late-night bars/lounges, plus three watersports operators.

Since the takeover, live music and entertainment have been discontinued at the Count Basie Square, where local musicians performed. There are now concerns that the straw markets will be next.

While in Grand Bahama recently, Mr Wilchcombe told the media that Mr Hunt plans for a “high upscale product” at the marketplace. 

“We have to wait and see if he delivers on the promise,” he said. “In our meetings with him, he represented that he can cause a more unique product to be out there. We have to ensure that, that is what it is, but we also have to ensure it also maintains a Bahamian flavour.”

Mr Wilchcombe, who was a reporter at the time Port Lucaya Marketplace was being built, said Sir Lynden Pindling came to the launch and he recalled that one of the things that former GBPA principals Edward St George and Jack Hayward said was that Count Basie Square would have international events, particularly concerts, but have a Bahamian flair.  

He said: “That must be maintained and Bahamians must have opportunities at Port Lucaya, and must have opportunities and ownership, and I am hoping they are given every opportunity to be successful because you can create a product, but put it out of the range of (the Bahamian) people. It must be in range of people and it must ensure Bahamians have opportunity, and Bahamians featured in cultural presentations.”

When asked about live music coming to an end and rumours about the closure of the straw market, Mr Wilchcombe said that he was not aware of that, adding that any such plans would be rejected by government.

“That is not comfortable, and, of course, we will reject that. We will certainly protest against that because that was not the deal. The straw market is a very important part of our cultural presentation.

“When the straw market burned in New Providence, that made all the major newscasts in the world. Truth is it is an expectation … and we are never going to let people push our people away or reject our people, and what is uniquely The Bahamas.

“What we have to do is make sure we can work it. I don’t know what his situation is, nothing has been brought to my attention yet. Every musician has a right to be on every stage in The Bahamas. If the country allows its culture to die, then the country dies.”

Mr Wilchcombe said Bahamian musicians deserve an opportunity to work.  

 “We have to step forward and give them more opportunities. They have been crying a long time, and many have gone to their deathbeds with not being given a good opportunity.”