What angered vendors at Long Bay Beach?
Anger erupted at the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach last Thursday after authorities from the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) cut the power supply that vendors depend on to ply their trade.
The vendors have been on that beach since 2017, when cruise tourists were diverted there to facilitate restoration of other beaches that were destroyed by the storms.
The government announced plans to develop Long Bay Beach some months ago and it’s understood that the vendors were given a letter explaining that they could continue selling but would have to move to another location once the development was completed.
BVI News understands that one vendor took the letter and got electricity from the BVIEC. But when the other vendors attempted to do the same thing, BVIEC authorities refused to grant them electricity. Our news centre understands that BVIEC later cut the power that was previously given to the first vendor, causing outcry among the sellers on the beach.
Premier intervention
The issue with the disgruntled vendors drew the attention of the Premier, who held a meeting with the vendors last Friday. Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn and other officials were also present to hear the concerns of the vendors who say they were initially granted permission to sell in the area.
It’s also understood that BVIEC authorities were acting on instruction from government officials when they cut the power and refused to grant it to other vendors.
In the meantime, BVI News understands that the meeting ended in a compromise where the vendors will be granted electricity provided that they sign an agreement to leave that area once the new vending area is completed.
Back in April, the government announced plans to commence work on Phase 1 of the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan.
The works include the construction of public and taxi parking lots as well as a barrier with revegetation of native species to protect the eastern sand dune from vehicular traffic and to allow its restoration.
At the time, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Joseph Smith-Abbott said the sand dune serves as an important sand reservoir and is critical to the long-term health and stability of the beach.
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We don’t need vendors on that beach.
Another slum in the making
Glad to know they’re going to remove the vendors from off the beach snd put them further back. I’m not against people trying to make a living but up there was becoming too ghetto looking. Make the booths attractive. The parking lot is there yet people still parking on the sand. Why we black people can’t obey rules!!
All humans disobey rules. Stop with the negative connotation about “black people”
Its all about giving the beach to Disney Cruise Lines.
years ago it was a beautiful nature’s little secret beach and now its a dump.
Brain dead government interference is ruining one of the BVIs most beautiful beaches. What was once a lovely serene spot enjoyed by locals and tourists alike is now a tacky mish mash of cheap tat.
Ban all stalls from the place.
Souless tat pushers
in St. Martin could be the future of Long Bay, BI if tasteless development is not stopped.
Long bay is a dump. And looks like Brewers bay will go the same way. Already 2 x illegal building on the grass by the beach. Save the beaches.
Look at the dump around which the Premier D 7 Rep lives, what kind of future can he push in terms of exclusive beauty
We are representatives of our surroundings
Wake up sometimes you wonder if these travel and see the pride and beauty people take in their surroundings . Nice lawns, hedges, flowers landscape etc
All you see is garbage— old tins, plastic bottle, garbage bags , etc around huge buildings .
D7 looks like a ghetto AKA the slums. The whole damn Island is slowly turning into a ghetto.
Vendors should be limited to who is operating there now.
These vendors constructing any old shack to sell, it look’s disgraceful and nasty.
I have to agree with you Slum especially the very first shack when you arrived on the beach.