The Tribune

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

A BRITISH sushi tycoon has purchased a cay in the Berry Islands for $2.5m in a private sale.

Simon Woodroffe, an entrepreneur and founder of the restaurant chain Yo! Sushi, plans to develop the island into a vacation destination called Yo! Island.

Previously known as Cockroach Cay and renamed Wild Berry Cay, the 100-acre island is listed on real estate company HG Christie’s website for $3.95m.

HG Christie real estate agent John Christie confirmed to The Tribune the island was privately owned.

“Every sale in the Bahamas is privately owned,” Mr Christie told The Tribune. “The government doesn’t sell any islands.”

Mr Woodroffe reportedly purchased the island “from Bahamian development firm TH-PY”.

Mr Christie could not confirm the name of the firm, however, he told The Tribune: “It was an American company that bought it, and they’ve had it since around 2000, 2001.

“I don’t know the name of the company…. It’s probably a Bahamian company but it was American owners,” he speculated.

Mr Christie admitted the cay was listed for $3.95m, but did not divulge how much it was sold for.

“Mr Woodroffe… says the cay was being offered for twice the price, but he managed to land it for just $2.5 million because ‘on an impulse’ he said he could pay in cash the next day,” according to reports.

“Explaining the island’s two names, Mr Woodroffe said: 'Wild Berry is a name the estate agents made up – it has always been Cockroach and no one knows why. Certainly no cockroaches there.

“Wild Berry Cay is a great island located just two miles north of Chub Cay with a rejuvenated club, marina and 5,000ft air strip with a port of entry,” Christie's listing reads.

“This cay has good elevation - up to 40ft. It is approximately 1/2 mile wide and 1 mile long. Located in exceptionally fine fishing area and has mostly black fertile soil.

“Wild Berry Cay is one of the best private island opportunities on the market at this time and will make a beautiful private family retreat or resort development with easy access to the port of entry Chub Cay.”