Minister On Horseshoe Beach Café Lease Tender
Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch delivered a statement on the House of Assembly about the new operators of the Horseshoe Bay Beach Concession, explaining some of the background behind the selection process.
The Minister — who had previously announced the team selected at a press conference, told Parliament, ”I’d like to give some background on the process employed to get to this point.
“Having reviewed the last tendering process, the existing lease, and the lessons learned, plans were put in place to ensure a far better outcome for the next lease period.
“The existing lease for the Beach House Café was granted for a fixed term of 5-years on a full repairing basis and is due to expire March 31st, 2021. The facility is old and considered substandard for Bermuda’s prime tourism destination. Therefore, the expiry of the existing lease has presented an opportunity to have the facility redeveloped and improved.
“Following intense scrutiny and the challenge of selecting only one of the many excellent submissions, I am pleased to announce Horseshoe Bay Live, and the team consisting of Mr. Delton Ebbin, Mr. Devon Simons, and Mr. Carl Vincent, as the new entity to be awarded the lease to the Horseshoe Bay Beach House Café.
“Mr. Delton Ebbin, is a Bermudian born leading international tourism expert, who has enjoyed an impressive and formidable all-encompassing hospitality career. Formerly, Mr. Ebbin was the food and beverage director for the 5 Star luxury hotel chain Sandals Resorts International in the Eastern Caribbean. Mr. Ebbin oversaw the training and management of over one thousand food and beverage staff members for Sandals Resorts International.
“Mr. Devon Simons is a Bermudian born entrepreneur and co-proprietor of the renowned Country Kitchen Bermuda Ltd. In addition to his business pursuits, Mr. Simons Co-Foundered the Open your Heart Foundation, giving his time and energy to the youth and underprivileged of Bermuda. His role in the food service industry and capacity to deliver is unparalleled, as such he will head up all recruitment of service staff, food delivery and logistics to ensure that operations are 100% Bermudian managed.
“Carl Vincent is a Bermudian born entrepreneur whose many endeavours involve co-founding the e-delivery grocery business Drop It Delivery. Before founding Drop It Delivery, Mr. Vincent was the on-board and offshore experiences and entertainment manager of the 95-metre Ultra Luxury Yacht M/Y Kismet
“Working in partnership with the Government as the landlord, the leaseholder will be granted an initial 5-year development lease with an option for renewal to be negotiated as part of the lease.
“The Horseshoe Bay Live Team here today, are experienced young Bermudians of the highest caliber in the hospitality industry. I am confident they are all up to the task of shouldering the enormous responsibility of offering world-class facilities and services at the most popular and iconic beach in Bermuda.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
This morning I wish to inform this House of the new operators of the Horseshoe Bay Beach Concession.
I’d like to give some background on the process employed to get to this point.
Having reviewed the last tendering process, the existing lease, and the lessons learned, plans were put in place to ensure a far better outcome for the next lease period.
Mr. Speaker, the existing lease for the Beach House Café was granted for a fixed term of 5-years on a full repairing basis and is due to expire March 31st, 2021. The facility is old and considered substandard for Bermuda’s prime tourism destination. Therefore, the expiry of the existing lease has presented an opportunity to have the facility redeveloped and improved.
The property was advertised inviting proposals for the improvement and operation of the Café commencing at the termination of the current lease. However, in the absence of Government capital funding for the development of the site, consideration was given to exploring the option of development by the proposed tenant. The initiative was packaged in an open public tender for Request for Proposals [RFP] from interested parties in the hospitality industry.
Mr. Speaker, the aspirations of the Government, among others, include: encouraging and providing opportunity for talented or experienced young Bermudian entrepreneurs and supporting the set-up and investments that will stimulate economic growth in the current economic climate.
Mr. Speaker, the tasks involved in the arrangements and respective timeframes per the following phases:
- Phase 1: Evaluation of proposals; shortlisting; presentation and selection of prospective tenant [Timeframe: August - Early September 2020].
- Phase 2: Approval for selected prospective tenant; offer of development lease; agreement on redevelopment design; drafting and negotiations [Timeframe: November 2020, possibly extending to December 2020].
- Phase 3: Existing lease expiry, site investigations in preparation for redevelopment arrangements [Timeframe: November 2020 – March 2021].
- Phase 4: Redevelopment lease commencement; preparations for opening of Café from start of holiday season; acquisition of Development/Planning consent [Timeframe: November 2020 [if early termination can be agreed] -. Termination dates are being negotiated with the current lease holder.
- Phase 5: Redevelopment project by selected Café tenant/operator; completion and commissioning of new development [Timeframe: November 2020/Mar 2021 - March/April 2022].
The invitation for RFP was issued on March 2nd, 2020 and closed on July 1st, 2020. A total of 16 proposals were received of which eight [8] were shortlisted and invited to make presentations to a joint committee.
Mr. Speaker, the 8 [eight] short listed proposals were scored independently by a panel of 6 persons from the Ministry of Public Works, Parks Department and the Bermuda Tourism Authority against a thirteen [13] point scoring matrix criteria which included; services to be provided, awareness of beach tourism trends, proposed redevelopment design, financial capability, ability to complete within time frame, management ability for beach rentals, environmentally friendly and sustainable services, local employment and visitor benefits. This together with overall consideration showing a well thought out plan to support making the Horseshoe Bay Beach facility experience a top tourism destination.
Following the presentations – the 8 shortlisted applicants were then narrowed down to the two with the highest scores.
Mr. Speaker, both proposals estimate a capital investment of approximately $3,800,000.00 to redevelop the site. The proposed terms of the lease are a 5 year full repairing lease with a tenant’s option to renew for a further five or ten years, subject to agreement of lease provisions. The proposed lease terms assume the current facility will continue in its current format under the new tenant through to the end of the 2021 summer season. In the interim, the successful applicant will finalise designs, gain statutory consents and go through a phased development and approval process with the Ministry of Public Works.
With the excellent submissions in hand, we now have the opportunity for significant improvements to the Cafe facility and positioned to have a new development to replace the old.
Following intense scrutiny and the challenge of selecting only one of the many excellent submissions, I am pleased to announce Horseshoe Bay Live, and the team consisting of Mr. Delton Ebbin, Mr. Devon Simons, and Mr. Carl Vincent, as the new entity to be awarded the lease to the Horseshoe Bay Beach House Café.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Delton Ebbin, is a Bermudian born leading international tourism expert, who has enjoyed an impressive and formidable all-encompassing hospitality career. Formerly, Mr. Ebbin was the food and beverage director for the 5 Star luxury hotel chain Sandals Resorts International in the Eastern Caribbean. Mr. Ebbin oversaw the training and management of over one thousand food and beverage staff members for Sandals Resorts International.
Mr. Devon Simons is a Bermudian born entrepreneur and co-proprietor of the renowned Country Kitchen Bermuda Ltd. In addition to his business pursuits, Mr. Simons Co-Foundered the Open your Heart Foundation, giving his time and energy to the youth and underprivileged of Bermuda. His role in the food service industry and capacity to deliver is unparalleled, as such he will head up all recruitment of service staff, food delivery and logistics to ensure that operations are 100% Bermudian managed.
Carl Vincent is a Bermudian born entrepreneur whose many endeavours involve co-founding the e-delivery grocery business Drop It Delivery. Before founding Drop It Delivery, Mr. Vincent was the on-board and offshore experiences and entertainment manager of the 95-metre Ultra Luxury Yacht M/Y Kismet
Mr. Speaker, working in partnership with the Government as the landlord, the leaseholder will be granted an initial 5-year development lease with an option for renewal to be negotiated as part of the lease.
The Horseshoe Bay Live Team here today, are experienced young Bermudians of the highest caliber in the hospitality industry. I am confident they are all up to the task of shouldering the enormous responsibility of offering world-class facilities and services at the most popular and iconic beach in Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the plan, consultations, designs and the Planning & Building Permit process will begin. To that end, a construction team, consisting of representatives from the Department of Public Lands and Buildings and the new leaseholders will be created. This team will be responsible for facilitating the construction of the new development which is scheduled to start in Nov 2021 and be completed by April 2022.
The Department of Public Lands & Buildings will continue to provide support and work with the team throughout this endeavor to help ensure its success.
Thank You, Mr. Speaker.
Let’s hope this turns out differently from the way the Shelly Bay facility did
Are we moving toward elegant dining 24 x 7..the experience of these individuals about to operate this concession is quite impressive…I only know the facility as a hamburger and fries situation..
Bermudians still operate under the assumption that it’s the only vacation spot in the world.
Frying tonight,fresh caught fish,big thick fries,onions and salt n vinegar.
(betcha mouth watering now!).
What no oysters….no labstas?
Hope they will sell fuut punch
The Minister’s choice of clothing for a picture is shocking but not shocking. Are the standards that low?
Nobody and I mean nobody with any sense would invest 3.8 million on a 5 year lease despite any option to renew.
The greater the risk the greater the return … at least, that is the theory
Who is fronting the $3.8m? Us? Or is there a mystery Mr. Big?
Because, these three have no idea judging by the presser.
Why because their not the same skin color as you? That’s why you trolls in the OBA lost the black votes. Trolls like you are the very reason the voters departed. Since the party is completely gutted might as well keep revealing the true racial color.
Always some evil boogyman in the background huh? Aint u lot tired of that crap yet? You are in charge. Make something, (ANYTHING) happen!
Racist comments go both ways. The comment by SandgrownAn did not mention anything about skin color. The follow up comment by White Wash talk then assumes that the previous comment was about the color of one’s skin. That’s one of the problems in Bermuda today. Racism goes both ways.
I somewhat agree with SandgrownAn in that comment. I’m not so concerned as to where the money is coming from but rather if it is taxpayer money or not. If it’s not, then it doesn’t matter where the money is coming from.
As stated in his book “those little white boys don’t mind you being in charge as long as they can tell you what to do – “The House That Jack Built” by the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge UBP.
If you really like historical quotes and references please look up E T Richard’s speech from the 60′s when he explained the PLP’s MO and what would happen if and when they got in. Bet you won’t like dem apples.
60′s LMAO you mean when whites were looking down at blacks all over the fox tail WORLD. Know wonder the UBP had to change to OBA ………your party is about to be eclipsed by the FDM so deal with it.
You’re in serious denial but get your finger out of your fox tail and look up the work I referenced.
The taxpayer has a right to know where the money is coming from so
stop deflecting.3.8 million for that renovation is ridiculous !
What counts is the color green not black or white.
You, like the majority of Bermuda and your elected officials, are a racist. Go away.
No. It’s because in the press conference they said there were not investing the $3.8m, someone else, who was not named, is. So we do not know who is backing this enterprise. It certainly isn’t the young men at the press conference, who didn’t seem to know much about the plans at all. They failed to answer basic questions.
Precisely.
Who mentioned race?
I was remarking that the presser looked hastily thrown together, and the three were unable to answer pretty soft questions. One would be forgiven for thinking they were fronts.
If they are indeed the only players, then one would question the RFP and selection process.
The ridiculous part is how the Kernel went into an extended shpeel about the comprehensive 5 phase process, the 13 point “scoring matrix”, the many requirements, “intense scrutiny” and challenges, at a press conference instead of printing the proposal in the media. I would love to see all the other proposals. Imagine these guys on Shark Tank.
When is former Gombey’s going to be worked on. Marlon. Could have remained open until they were ready to proceed with their renovations. The people came like bulls in a china shop well before the hurricanes, tore up, down and around. To date, nothing has been done accept close the doors that were not secured. Today it is dispicable and a slap in the face to our Community and Visitors. Do the people involved with Gombey’s have funds to get this business up and operating, are they as serious as Government has portrayed them to be. Or was this a move to get a hardworking, a selfless service provider, respected by all who entered the gates of the premises out of business.
Marlon is being punished for not playing the game the PLP Government wanted him to play.
The design of the airport facia slanting glass creates lift what windspeed can it sustain??? Imagine huge glass shard projectiles and 150-175 mph winds. Sorry…I just think slanted the other way and dome like would make more sense design wise.
So what happins when I bring a picnic basket and table cloth to my horseshoe beach…is this consetionsre going to tell me I cannot bring my own.
That fort st.catherines beach hotel has guests inside the hotel looking down on beach goers. Basically…I need to see the plans before I let you do a damn thing….mmmmm’kaaaayyy?
We need a causway of sensible design and hydro electric power, side walks , fishing areas…..lighting from hydro solar wind generators.
Maybe sandals has one of those.
Causeway we have now is unsafe and should be demolished.
The swing bridge is too.
A new airport granted but no safe way to get tuit.
The swing bridge needs zinc’s regularly due to flowing tidal salt water…and electrolysis.
So…pull you head from you tookas it is not a hat.
No…don’t dare look away…look over here…see that? That is a cause way that people have died on!
Every MP it would seem for the last forty years has turned a blind eye tuit…we didn’t need a new airport…but we got one though…funny…they didn’t maintain the one we had and pointed to a leak in the roof jumping up and down like a child having a tantrum at a toy store
I am sorry for being so critical but…a storm surge at neap tides (google it) , is combined with storm surge (same) , a full moon….and uh oh…
I almost forgot full moon tide.