BBC News: Beach Vendor Forced To Move

March 31, 2016

[Written by Tari Trott, Bermuda Broadcasting Co.]

The owner of the Fort St. Catherine ‘BQ Beach Grill’ was busy today shutting down his stand in advance of construction of a new St George’s resort nearby.

Erroll Burgess, who has operated the business at Gates Bay for nearly a year, was given orders to shutter his operation just as Government announced it was in the final stages of negotiating a lease with developers.

Mr Burgess said having to close his business was a challenge and could only say, without certainty, that he “assumes” the public will continue to have access to Fort St Catherine Beach.

“Hopefully I can secure another location and get started and up and running in the next month to get ready for the season,” he told us, “that’s my plan”.

Mr Burgess said he had a fantastic season last year; people enjoyed the vibe and liked the concept, “and we want to continue”. Mr Burgess hopes to relocate in the east end of the island.

Note: Bernews is temporarily helping Bermuda Broadcasting Company by sharing its stories online. The station’s TV equipment is undergoing repair after being hit by lightning.

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Comments (50)

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  1. Some one please explain to me, how making this man shut down for a project that will be in no way up and completed for this years tourism season, is really a serious enough issue to make him shut down at this time.

    Why can’t his lease be extended into the proposal to the new developers and allow him to stay until the end of this tourism season, we always talk about not making things racially motivated, but I just have to wonder if this was one of the members of the O.B.A who had this concession, would he have to move so quickly.

    Again I ask were the hell is the voice of Mr. Kenny Bascome on this issue and helping to protect this vendor.

    • Wake up Bie says:

      Don’t you know that Kenny has a ventriloquist hand holding on to his spine. He can’t say nutttttingg until the the OBA bies tell him what to say. :)

      • Colourless says:

        Brings back very recent memories when a former Government closed down a restaurant, a Golf facility, a golf course, and a beach concessions because a Hotel Development was imminent. Same nonsense just different players. Oh well! In this life only death is certain!

      • drunken ursula says:

        lol…how true so much mouth before being elected, now got he_lto hear anything from him !

    • Zevon says:

      Is it a bit like pretending cement silos have to be moved 50 feet in order to force the owners to sell the business, and then changing your mind about having to move the silos? Or is it not quite on the same scale as that?

    • Ed Case says:

      The lord works in mysterious ways Duane. You should know that.

    • Rosie M says:

      Seems to me any business venture in St. Joe, Ferry area, St. Catherine, Old Towne, St. D .. anything and anywhere east, “powers that be” enjoy disruption and disbandment … example, swing bridge this week, when cruise ship docked, same time an inspection is held … folks are trying to make their livelihood … and the gentlemen’s biz at FSC is terrific, please give him the respect and many others to do work they enjoy so others can enjoy too … St. Joe and surrounding areas treated like step-sister and this is unacceptable … speaking recently w/older gentlemen from Paget about Old Towne and its beauty, his reply … “oh that beat up old dinky town, we don’t go there anymore.” So asked about his last visit and he couldn’t remember when … he didn’t know about minibus, GoJo’s Cafe, Homeworkx, Sweet Saak … but recalled Clyde’s Cafe (long gone) and remembered his last meal east was Angeline’s (thankfully still operating), couldn’t help but feel sad for this man and others who, for some reason, will not cross the Causeway and allow themselves the joy of ALL nine parishes … because St. Joe, St. D’s and entire east end … and swing bridge is beautiful.

    • Ty says:

      @Duane

      “we always talk about not making things racially motivated”

      How do you know that Mr. Burgess does not vote for the OBA or is it because he is…………….that you automatically assume.

      First comment of the day and YOU did just what you said we should not do. Go and buy a box of crayons and you will notice that there are many colours in the box.

      You are an AWFUL person.

      Ty

      • drunken ursula says:

        why didn’t you beat up all those racially base comments from 2 weeks ago about Bermudians?

    • Albie says:

      I strongly suspect that Mr. Burgess knew that his tenancy would be terminated when the developer and government signed the deal.

      It is entirely likely that Mr. Burgess will be able to approach the developer to continue his business.

      There is a new landlord and so the tenant will need to deal with them.

      That’s what happens in the real world.

  2. The Real YAMAMA says:

    Kenny Bascome is too busy getting paid to care about the people that elected him.

    • St. Geo 4 ever says:

      Is that why the OBA don’t trust him in a Minister post? Opps
      Look at it this way the election is next year the Premier may just take him off the bench in St. Geo and give him a Minister post for all the smoke and mirrors with the coming election. Also called Bait and Switch.

  3. Kim Smith says:

    This seems to be no different than Dr. Ewart Brown making Chris West shut and then tear down the former beach house on the very same beach… as well as tearing down the former golf club.

    • St. Geo 4 ever says:

      LOLOL that’s true nice one Kim Smith. Wait a sec the PLP didn’t promise 2000 jobs to work permit holders when they won the election 2012. Wait a sec or was it Bermudians? I’m not sure after the stunt juice Fahy tried to make us Bermudians swallow a couple of weeks ago.

    • Raymond Ray says:

      @ Kim Smith. I agree in reference to the fact Mr. Chris West was force to shut and tear down the former beach house…(How about this) What about the former Holiday Inn Hotel being destroyed…all to no avail etc.? :-(
      This suggestion made by Mr. Duane P. Santucci is something that should be considered, “Why can’t his lease be extended into the proposal to the new developers and allow him to stay until the end of this tourism season,” (The other stuff he said I don’t support i.e. “we always talk about not making things racially motivated, but I just have to wonder if this was one of the members of the O.B.A who had this concession, would he have to move so quickly.”

      • Raymond Ray says:

        By the way, what about moving around by Gate Fort…?

        • drunken ursula says:

          Finally something balance from you…must be April’s Fools Day congrats Ray.

        • kindley says:

          Mr. Ray, you seem to always have a level head when responding to issues. I agree with your post. Closer to our visit, I’ll check to see if the lease was extended or if Mr. Burgess has moved to another location in St. George’s.

    • Expat says:

      I can’t see the need to get this place shut just before the tourist season and before ground has been broken.

      This is the first I have heard of this business and from the pictures I think it looks like a great fit for the island. Surely there is room for this type of business on many of the beaches.From an outsiders perspective, I get the impression that it’s the big hotels that block these little enterprises.

      I was at Elbow Beach the other day and wondered why there wasn’t somewhere for people to get a snack and drink other than the hotels. Some snorkel and chair rentals. Also, there is room for more than one vendor at Horseshoe.

      I think it is great that there is minimal development on the beaches which is why I like the look of Mr. Burgess’ place.

      Could you please do a follow up when he announces his new location?

      I want Bermuda to do well and wish the best for the new hotel (hopefully many jobs are created) but I really cannot fathom the rush to move this business. The timing is awful.

  4. Takbir Karriem Sharrieff says:

    Another small business being asked to……close down ,,,,,,,and make way for the ,,,,,big dogs,,,,Typical Big business,,,big Dog,,,O.B.A.Government thinking.Old Businessmen,Attitude.No sensitivity for the small man or small business.Now you know why we the people closed down the house of Parliament and marched on their azz.Next we will close down The Cabinet Building.Then Close down all ,,,,,Big Businesses,,,,until they become sensitized to the small mans needs.P.L.P. get ready to support The Peoples Movement,or get out of the way for The New Peoples Liberation Movement.Soon to come if you cant handle the job.Peace.

    • MRZ says:

      Yup.. Take from the SMALL people to give to the BIG people.. The rich gettin richer and the poor gettin poorer!! Keep ya head up Burg!!

    • Zevon says:

      So you’re not interested in job creation if a new resort gets built then.
      Idiot.

    • A few queries says:

      Where was your outrage when the golf course and beach it bar was closed in 2008 for the same reasons, but under a different government?

      • kindley says:

        The outrage should have been the same. That was a horrible mistake and I don’t know if it was PLP or OBA!

  5. watchfuleyes says:

    Watching with keen interest Takbir for New People’s Liberation.

  6. BaileysBay says:

    Mr Santucci, perhaps you recall that Chris West had the concession for the same spot some years ago, called “Beach It”. He owned and ran the concession for several very succesful years.

    The PLP rescinded his lease to make way for the long delayed/then never happened Bazarian hotel…just wanted to ease your mind that this can’t be racially motivated as the PLP did exactly the same thing to Mr West as the OBA seem to have done to Mr Burgess.

    Or were both racially motivated?

    • @ Bailey’s Bay, don’t know who you are and really does not matter, but you made some very interesting points, and for the record of you and others who think along the trend that you have stated, please research history and those that are stanch P.L.P supporters will remember most, that I campaigned the trail of talk shows with great passion and went after the heads of the then P.L.P, When many decisions were being made.

      So don’t be fooled, I don’t think there is one person who fought against the P.L.P or it’s then leadership publicly on talk radio and electronic media, then myself, and that is in no way to make it sound like bragging, I am stating the fact, so wanna be critics that like to jump on the ban wagon and talk cheap crap without fact, or even knowing my history as a political advocate, need to do their home work before they use my name in vain and cause me to cuss them out.

      So your comments are correct about what happen to Mr. West and i said it then, that the government was wrong for how they handled it, and it still goes to show that no matter who is in power, the people with deep pockets call the shots, not the electorate of this country, so stop fooling yourselves.The only time Front Street mentalities listen to back of town, is when we hit them were it really hurts, in their pockets.

      What as wrong back then , is still wrong now and I don’t give a damn who is in power, it needs to be said and addressed.

  7. Vamos says:

    So has the “negotiating of this project” been sorted, or are they still seeking the financing? The press statements and the numerous press conferences are so wordy that I am more than suspicious.

  8. Terry says:

    Sea Venture is coming…………

  9. bill stephens says:

    You can’t build a resort around shanty outposts
    let’s get going with the hotel
    it will bring much needed $ to east end!

    • Raymond Ray says:

      As dem’lot would say, “tru dat bie.” Bermuda and not just the East end need $ s

      • Cris m says:

        Was up there the other day and what a shame about fort Albert,all over grown with trees etc..Hope they dont plan on tearing it down..

    • What?? says:

      His concession is right on the beach so unless they are planning to build on the sand or close down access to the beach while building, he will not be in the way at all. It will be a couple years yet, at least, before this hotel is up and running. I can see no reason for depriving this man, and beach goers, of the concession until much closer to the hotel opening day.

    • ron,b says:

      a shanty bar is cozy and perfect on a beach, where are you from?

  10. just saying says:

    So here we go again more lies from the OBA. If I can recall they said the beach will remain public. If that is so way does this gentleman have to vacate. We’re are the MP’s in this matter? Especially Mr. Bascom. He is the one that needs to go , he does nothing for St. George’s. This is another sneak attack from this Government. They say they had nothing to do with this decision it was the new company that is building the hotel. Well! If that’s the case then Mr.Santiucci should not have to move if the beach is suppose to be public. This is another situation the people should stand up for. All the OBA DOES IS LIE LIE LIE. I CAN BEAT THAT THIS BEACH WILL TRY TO GO PRIVATE. ( THATS IF IT HASN’T ALREADY, WITH THE OBA MORE LIKELY IT HAS)

    • A few queries says:

      Guess you haven’t read the act in which beach access is worded exactly as the PLP’s Park Hyatt act was written.

      Where were you when the PLP forced Beach It bar to close for the failed. Bazarian developer?

  11. Pondering says:

    He should stay! Those new construction workers would love these burgers – they are well!!

    • @ Pondering, I did not even think along those lines, and your comment is brilliant in my view, just think, this guy is preparing to be open mostly for the tourism season, but if he is allowed to stay, he can enjoy the benefit of being open all year round while the project is being built and nearing the end where they will have to do something with the beach , he can vacate upon a agreed date with the developers.

      There will be many workers of all trades, both locals and foreign that will have a relaxed atmosphere to take their lunch breaks, and even to go to after work. Another great Bermuda initiative, and hell who knows the developers may even want to keep him on in there to run their beach house, anything is possible, but I am all for Mr. Burgess being given the opportunity to stay even at the 11th hour, and I will declare my interest, That I do not know Mr. Burgess personally and would like to see any honest hard working Bermudian given the opportunity to succeed in any initiative that they have that is deemed to bring them success.

  12. Sage says:

    Maybe the fake hunger striker should pitch her tent down at the beach and Rev Santucci can lead a daily prayer vigil.

    • drunken ursula says:

      don’t you know prayer works ask Mike.

  13. mmm says:

    I am shocked that a small beach restaurant on a well known beach has been told to close. Such a decision brings into question, whether or not the public will access to Fort St Catherine beach, at all. Yes, we very much need a hotel, it has been long, long over-due, but I am sure that our visit ors would like to see local trade. Is Buzz on the horizon, I surely hope not, please give the little man credit for his efforts and allow him to con tinue, he is a plus to the community. Not everyone has money for a $12.00 hot dog.

  14. Bdabye says:

    Instead of all of you making this a political rant how about we all look for a solution to Mr. Burgess’s plight. I realize Mr. Burgess that you would like to stay in the east end but how about Shelly bay beach?
    I think your hut would fit in perfectly there. I would have no problem taking the ”long” walk from the parking lot just to get one of your burgers and to see your smiling face. You are a tribute to the true Bermudian way in the manner of which you treat Bermudians and tourists alike. Good luck Mr. Burgess, look forward to seeing you where ever you end up.

  15. Jolly says:

    They signed a lease with a developer. Ergo, the developer has the right to develop.

  16. ron,b says:

    they are selling our country right in front of our eyes

  17. ron,b says:

    why are the building hotels if no tourist come here,what tourist under 65 would wants to return to bermuda anyway

  18. Unbelievable you guys says:

    Who is going to buy property with third party business on it and when he is ready the union prevents him from moving the guy. Wake up people. When buying property it has to be free of such unless it is within the contract. Is he willing to give the hotel a share in his profits.

  19. kindley says:

    This is NOT GOOD!! My family has been SAVING to return to Bermuda this summer and we again chose St. George’s. We were looking forward to a day at Fort St. Catherine’s beach since I was told it now has concession and rental chairs, etc. available to visitors. I don’t think that St. George’s needs the kind of hotel that is in the works. Keep St. George’s family friendly where middle class families can afford to come and be within walking distance to the town of St. George’s and the beaches nearby. St. George’s has a lot to offer visitors.

    Please think about what you are doing to your citizen for a hotel that is still in the negotiation stages.

  20. Takbir Karriem Sharrieff says:

    Watchful eyes,I know for a fact that the New Peoples Movement or Army is taking Place right now in Bermuda.The biggest recruiters are amongst these blockheaded negative bloggers that appear daily in Ber- News.It is inevitable and gaining momentum quickly.I applaud it,I support it,and it is long overdue.Peace,for now.