Taxi chief 'very concerned' on Bay Street cruise bypass
The Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s president yesterday said he was “very, very concerned” that the cruise lines will direct their passengers to bypass downtown Nassau whenever the industry resumes sailing. Wesley Ferguson told Tribune Business he is fearf
Food stores predict 20% sales decline
Food store retailers yesterday said they expect sales to drop by 20 percent between now and September. Atwell Ferguson, Golden Gates Supermarket’s general manager, told Tribune Business: “Sales have dropped for sure since the pandemic, and basically
IAN FERGUSON: Ensuring productivity among remote staff
With the call being made for public servants and private sector employees to return to work, many workers are questioning whether a return to centralised work space is necessary. COVID-19 has certainly tested our capacity to engage in productive work
Food stores brace for sales plummet
Super Value’s president yesterday revealed he is bracing for a “below normal” sales decline as the post-COVID lockdown reality bites, and said: “If we fall ten percent below last year we’ll be in trouble.” Rupert Roberts told Tribune Business that t
Grand Lucayan lay-offs start on Holistica deal
The Grand Lucayan resort was yesterday said to have begun the “phased” termination of its remaining 208-strong workforce as it readies to complete the property’s sale to the ITM Group/Royal Caribbean joint venture. Michael Scott QC, the Grand Lucaya
BTC, Cable fees '150 times' more' than US access
A niche provider says wholesale direct Internet access (DIA) rates charged by The Bahamas’ two telecommunications giants are “in excess of 150 times” greater than comparable US prices and squeezing out competition.Theofanis Cochinamogulos, chief exec
Small business loans slow with $50m requests
Applications for the government’s COVID-19 small business recovery loan have collectively sought double the $25m initially allocated for the programme, it was revealed yesterday.Davinia Grant, the Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) director,
Baha Mar receivers’ actions ‘a shocker’
A New York judge says it is "a shocker" that Baha Mar's former receivers and contractor kept the Bahamian Supreme Court in the dark over
Defence 'layers' key over cyber security
An information technology (IT) specialist yesterday said the Government must upgrade its systems in “layers” to prevent a repeat of recent hacks at the Registrar General’s Office. Scott MacKenzie, chief executive of Cloud Carib, told Tribune Busines
Bahamas 'pressing' for October FATF removal
The Bahamas is “pressing” to be removed by October 2020 from a list of countries with identified weaknesses in their anti-financial crime defences, the attorney general said yesterday. Carl Bethel QC, in is contribution to the 2020-2021 Budget debat
Entertainment venues hopeful on re-opening despite no date
Cinemas and entertainment destinations yesterday voiced optimism they will be able to re-open in July even though the Government’s latest COVID-19 emergency powers Order gives no date for this. Chris Mortimer, Galleria Cinemas’ president, told Tribu
'Expensive money': $150m port bond set for refinance
Nassau Cruise Port will move to refinance its recent $150m bond issue at the earliest possible opportunity, it was revealed yesterday, having elected to keep the offering’s $20m over-subscription. Michael Maura, the cruise terminal operator’s chief
Atlantis defends contract worker re-hiring move
A former candidate for the hotel union’s presidency yesterday called for a government investigation as he blasted Atlantis for keeping himself and other full-time staff on furlough while re-engaging contract workers. Dave Beckford, a 25-year employe
Downtown Nassau sees 70% revenue fall in cruise close
Cruise tourism-dependent downtown Nassau businesses yesterday said they may close down until September with revenues down by up to 70 percent in a bid to survive until the industry’s return. George Mousis, Athena Café’s general manager, told Tribune
Cruise tourism jobs 'simply evaporated'
A Cabinet minister yesterday conceded all cruise tourism-dependent jobs have “simply evaporated for the time being” as he revealed that one major line suggested the industry might not relaunch until mid-November.Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of touris
