Barbados TravelAdvisor

Indeed, the Crane should have considerable resourc...

2011-12-19T08:27:38.952-04:00

Indeed, the Crane should have considerable resources at hand to continue these development projects. Anyone considering a purchase, however, would be wise to ask Crane sales exactly how they handle resales. They'll tell you that you're free to sell your property on your own or, at 10% commission, the resort will market the property for you. I know a guy who's been desperately trying for years to sell his property at the Crane and has gotten nowhere. Once you discover that there's no interest out there for Crane property, you must depend on the resort to sell your property there. Now, do you think 10% is high? What say you of 20%!? That's the number the Crane springs on you if you want to get their sales staff to seriously market your property. At 10% they won't shake a leg for you. Once you've stewed for a while in the despair of getting nowhere, you're advised to sign up for their "premium sales plan" - 20% commission for full ownership, and an even more outrageous 30% (!!!!!) for timeshares. While you're waiting for that elusive buyer, the Crane will likely have your property in its rental pool, so at least you can earn some measly returns once the Crane deducts - for 1 bdroom residences more than US$800.00 per week!! - "maintenance fee". They're in no hurry to take care of these resales because they're taking their cut by renting your property and busy with their unsold units. Once you realize you're at their mercy you get hit with the "premium listing" surprise. Absolutely brilliant! Congratulations Mr. Doyle!

Yes we also believe that APD should be replaced wi...

2011-12-02T06:52:04.834-04:00

Yes we also believe that APD should be replaced with a Per Plane Duty (PPD).I also have website to keep travelers up to date on news, imformation and how can they save money.Visit us for information Air Passenger Duty

I would be awesome to visit Barbados and spend a h...

2011-11-06T05:52:59.585-04:00

I would be awesome to visit Barbados and spend a holiday at cobblers cove.

Update: "THIRTEEN WORKERS contracted by Simm...

2011-10-16T17:00:53.930-04:00

Update:

"THIRTEEN WORKERS contracted by Simmons Electrical to complete the electrical work on the Merricks Resort Development and the Allamanda Beach Hotel are now out of work.

Managing director Allan Simmons said they were contracted by Harlequin Hotels and Resorts, but he was informed yesterday that work on the two projects had to be shut down immediately due to Government’s failure to provide concessions related to the project.

He said he understood Government had offered Harlequin concessions but to date they had not received them, so the development company had to shut the projects down until the concessions became available.

Simmons said the closure not only meant that the workers would have to be severed, but it also meant the company would lose out on several million dollars."

Source: NationNews.com

See also: The Government Of Barbados Distances Itself From The Merricks

I think that people still have a lot of money in M...

2011-07-26T07:21:06.294-04:00

I think that people still have a lot of money in Miami people drive every where still.
http://katiefran25.edublogs.org/

I was there two years ago and i was impressed. Unf...

2011-07-19T04:14:27.745-04:00

I was there two years ago and i was impressed. Unfortunately i had no time to visit it very well because i was there for only two days, but i hope to visit it again very soon. I recommend this place, it is very nice.

This is good and bad,I love fishing,(good) destroy...

2011-05-12T12:05:23.924-04:00

This is good and bad,I love fishing,(good) destroying mangroves to build it (bad). Does anyone remember the Indian River? destroyed to build warehouse (still empty?), built highway with no way to cross without taking major risk,can they take some of that money to build overpass to that beautiful beach?

Oh, gee, what Barbados realy needs is a third tiny...

2011-04-13T16:42:24.595-04:00

Oh, gee, what Barbados realy needs is a third tiny, private marina inside a gated condo community. But, wait, isn't this coming from the same government which was last year condemning the $30M or so Barbados is suppose to pay annually for the new prison at Dodds that helps to keep the island safe and rehabilitate Bajan offenders? How about $20M more to create a playground for at least 80 of the First World's supper-rich? This is going to down really well with the voters come election time, especially after the cost overruns and delays start mounting up a la Kensington Oval and the ABC Highway. And, what's this - a St. Lucia company is building it? Oi yoi yoi, who knew Barbados was scrunting so bad!

Hi KNRX, BlogFront.org is committed to uphold th...

2011-03-23T21:55:53.002-04:00

Hi KNRX,

BlogFront.org is committed to uphold the quality standards of blogging. We strive to maintain and promote only the most credible blogs in their respective fields.

Spam blogs or "splogs" has been a problem for some time now and people are getting confused about which blog to trust.

We would like to thank you for maintaining such a reputable blog. We know that it takes time, effort and commitment to keep such a blog and as such, we have added your blog as one of the top Barbados Blogs.

You can see your blog listed here: http://blogfront.org/barbados

You can also claim your BlogFront Top Blogs badge at http://blogfront.org/badges/barbados

Thank you for keeping your blog credible. Let's keep the blog revolution alive!

Maria Blanchard
BlogFront.org
Blog Revolucion

Nice accommodations. Colony Club Barbados

It would be nice to stay there. Last time, I'v...

2011-03-05T09:53:09.849-04:00

It would be nice to stay there. Last time, I've stayed at Colony Club Barbados. It was nice there too.

I agree with what you posted. British influence i ...

2011-02-26T02:40:58.283-04:00

I agree with what you posted. British influence i still in Barbados. It is indeed has great riches. We always want to have Barbados holidays.

Pickering Snag "THE MASSIVE PICKERING, St Lu...

2010-08-01T09:37:15.226-04:00

Pickering Snag

"THE MASSIVE PICKERING, St Lucy building project might not be getting off the ground any time soon.

That’s because developer North Ridge Development Company Limited has so far been unable to attract investors to raise capital for the proposed BDS$1.7 billion initiative.

Among the potential investors that the company has approached has been Cellate International & Construction Group [CICG], an Irish company now facing a lawsuit for misappropriation of funds in St Vincent and the Grenadines. This has resulted in CICG’s assets being frozen.

The company has a subsidiary, Cellate Caribbean, located at 1st Avenue, Belleville, St Michael.

At a ground-breaking ceremony in May, Prime Minister David Thompson said the project would include 1 161 residential units, a 200-unit hotel, a private day-care centre, a primary school, supermarkets, convenience stores and several other amenities.

The SUNDAY SUN has obtained a copy of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which shows North Ridge has been seeking an investor to purchase a substantial percentage ownership interest; purchase up to $40 million non-voting redeemable preference shares; superintend the Pickering project; undertake construction of the proposed development; and source all additional funding required to complete construction and product sales.

The document also revealed North Ridge Development has outstanding financial obligations for the land purchase at Pickering, as well as to a number of professionals.

These include a cost of $24 million for about 230 acres of land, as well as payments to a surveyor, attorney-at-law, engineer, architect, financial/tax consultant, an environmental impact assessment team and other named individuals totalling $4.2 million.

North Ridge’s proposal to CICG to purchase a 30 per cent financial interest was priced at $16 million. Among other proposals put to CICG was that within 21 days of signing a MOU, $24 million of the $40 million was made available to close the land purchase. North Ridge proposed that the additional $16 million be placed in escrow to cover fees and other expenses.

On the cards was for CICG to receive a basic project management fee equal to three per cent of revenues and for North Ridge to receive a developer’s fee equal to five per cent of revenues.

CICG did not sign the agreement.

Two weeks ago former Prime Minister Owen Arthur suggested Government’s launch of the Pickering project was a façade. He alleged North Ridge Development had no money even for initial start-up expenses and had to borrow $600 000 to help pay pre-investment costs.

“These people do not have any money. They do not have any investors to work with them, but you had a groundbreaking ceremony in St Lucy to create the image that something is happening,” Arthur said.

In a July 27 statement to the SUNDAY SUN, the board of directors of North Ridge Development Company Limited said it was not appropriate “to respond to public statements on the status of investors”.

Efforts yesterday to reach North Ridge developers through their attorney-at-law Wayne Cumberbatch for further comment were futile."

Source: NationNews.com

Arthur Blasts Pickerings Development "FORMER...

2010-07-19T06:19:42.064-04:00

Arthur Blasts Pickerings Development

"FORMER PRIME MINISTER OWEN ARTHUR says Government has not given Barbadians the full facts on its mooted billion-dollar Pickering Town Centre project in St Lucy.

In fact, Arthur charged last night that Government had been feeding Barbadians a lot of propaganda, trying to create a “feel-good” effect, rather than trying to stem the slide into which the country had slipped.

Speaking at a Christ Church West branch meeting at Arthur Smith Primary School, Arthur said the people behind the project did not even have money to pay initial start-up costs.

He said they had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a company from Ireland to borrow money to pay basic fees.

“Developers had to borrow $600 000 to help pay pre-investment costs and they are now looking around to find an investor,” he stated.

Arthur added: “They [St Lucy investors] have not yet even bought the land. They have acquired an option to buy the land on the understanding that the option is going to be meaningful if they get planning permission.”

Propaganda

The former prime minister said he did not mean to be disrespectful, but he did not know how many people would want to invest in central St Lucy.

“. . . Because if you are going to invest that kind of money, you will be looking to recover your capital and get a return on it. But these people do not have any money. They do not have any investors to work with them, but you had a groundbreaking ceremony in St Lucy to create the image that something is happening,” Arthur said.

The St Peter MP said Government seemed to believe that feeding the public a lot of propaganda to create a good feel in the country was a substitute for serious policies and programmes.

“Week by week all the fundamental things the public should be having a voice about that concerns their welfare are not being addressed,” he said, revealing that Government was now secretly selling off shares at the Insurance Corporation of Barbados to raise capital.

Arthur noted the David Thompson-led administration had promised in its 2008 manifesto that it would seek a two-thirds majority in Parliament to change agricultural land for development purposes, but had not kept that commitment with respect to the development at Pickering.

Greatest concern

He warned Barbadians that their greatest concern should not just be the poor ratings international agencies had given Barbados’ economic performance over the past two years, but they should be alarmed that the structures which held that economy together were all starting systematically to crumble.

Arthur said Government had failed to do anything about the continued recession and enterprises were starting to buckle. He said many of them had been drawing down their reserves from the banks to maintain their viability but this could not continue forever.

He added that while Government remained nonplussed as to what to do, Guyana’s economy was on an upward economic curve. He noted that while tourism officials in Barbados were crying that they were losing the British market, British visitors were flocking to Jamaica, even in the face of the negative worldwide media associated with the recent Tivoli Gardens upheaval.

Arthur said Barbados had prospered as a premium destination but now Government was deviating from a tried and tested policy by looking to low-end markets in Brazil and Panama and taking “a slow boat to China”."

Source: NationNews.com 7/19/10

Once there is adequate parking the only challenge ...

2010-06-28T17:52:15.344-04:00

Once there is adequate parking the only challenge I can see is the traffic congestion that arleady occurs during morning lunch and evening rush hours

happy about the opening of Sugar Cane Club Hotel a...

2010-06-28T12:39:34.850-04:00

happy about the opening of Sugar Cane Club Hotel and Spa. A little concerned about the environmental impact of the marina...

Great job! I am visiting Barbados for the first ti...

2010-06-16T06:40:43.562-04:00

Great job! I am visiting Barbados for the first time this May. And this is great blog. Cute picture. Keep up the good work!

The best barbados travel deals

Can't wait to see the outcome of this developm...

2010-06-08T17:03:01.719-04:00

Can't wait to see the outcome of this development.

A bit contrived but interesting none the same.

2010-05-16T05:08:14.786-04:00

A bit contrived but interesting none the same.

"We must question the Buccament Bay Beach pro...

2010-04-26T13:48:14.417-04:00

"We must question the Buccament Bay Beach project, one of Mr Gonsalves’ pet projects. Is this a complex to which ordinary Vincentians will have access? Will it be an exclusive gated community from which the public will be kept out? Certainly he owes the public an explanation..."
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Funny how no one ever mentions that these Jews in ...

2010-03-25T03:23:25.397-04:00

Funny how no one ever mentions that these Jews in places like Barbados, Suriname, Nevis, Jamaica and the Netherlands Antilles bankrolled and ran the slave trade in the Western Hemisphere.

Barbados beaches is the best for me. It is very cl...

2010-02-21T23:25:49.992-04:00

Barbados beaches is the best for me. It is very close to my heart. I would love to visit there again and again and again.

Love this! All the best! thanks!

2010-01-19T21:42:39.494-04:00

Love this! All the best! thanks!

It seems that the Merricks site might be listed fo...

2009-12-29T19:32:58.038-04:00

It seems that the Merricks site might be listed for sale with Palm Real Estate in Barbados (described as 54 acres of land ripe for development). Rumor has it that they could not get their planning approvals.

Thank you for posting. it is really helpful to all...

2009-12-19T18:29:50.038-04:00

Thank you for posting.
it is really helpful to all.
such a nice topics.

Bathmate