In a feature by St. Lucia Times on the future of a local entrepreneur who has been operating a small restaurant on Crown Lands at Reduit Beach for a number of years.
Citing public concern surrounding the location and future of Marie’s Fish Shack, the Department of Crown Lands, in consultation with the Government of Saint Lucia has sought to offer further clarification on the matter.
“In keeping with its commitment to transparency and constructive engagement, the Government wishes to provide clarity on the context surrounding the Mount Pimard Beach Park development and the considerations guiding decision-making at this time,” a statement from the Department of Crown Lands read.
It went on to state that Marie’s Fish Shack, which operates along the southern end of Reduit Beach, has continued to play a significant role in the island’s local community.
“However, it is essential to note that the business operates unofficially on state owned lands, within an area presently undergoing significant development aimed at strengthening the national tourism product and, by extension, the broader Saint Lucian economy.”
According to the statement it is important to emphasise the need for compliance with the applicable legal framework governing the use of state-owned lands.
“The provisions of the Crown Lands Act require that all individuals and enterprises wishing to occupy or conduct activities on Crown Land, including along the Kings’ Chain, must obtain approval from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, regardless of the duration of their occupation,” the Department of Crown lands explains in the statement.
Last year following engagement with a developer, the Government of Saint Lucia and the A’ILA Resorts broke ground for a $1.3 billion multiphase development at Mount Pimard. This development, which is now underway, will eventually include a family hotel, an adults-only resort, luxury villas, residences, a shopping boulevard and one of the largest conference centers on island, essentially employing hundreds during construction and more when completed. The first phase, TheLifeCo, a holistic wellness resort is expected to open soon.
In recognition of this, and to encourage a positive environment for development, Invest Saint Lucia proactively engaged with the developer of A’ILA Resort to construct the Mount Pimard Beach Park facility.
The Beach Park has now been completed by A’ILA and has since been handed over to the National Conservation Authority (NCA) who will formally open the facility.
The Department of Crown lands says that from the outset, the future operations of Marie’s (which falls within the vicinity of the development) were taken into full account with the earliest renderings of the park design, including a dedicated fish restaurant.
Additionally, the design was meticulously developed to facilitate the engagement of Saint Lucian entrepreneurs who have expressed a keen interest in participating in this initiative.
In light of this, the Department of Crown lands says that the actions taken by the Government do not constitute an eviction. Rather, they involve the relocation of operations to an improved site on the same beach, offering enhanced amenities including dedicated parking, security, sanitation, recreation, bathroom and shower facilities, dining areas, a playground and expanded commercial opportunities for the wider community.
“We encourage the public to reflect upon all the legal obligations that the Government is mandated to uphold, while also considering the support extended to local entrepreneurs,” the Department of Crown Lands says.
Further, it is critical, the Department says, that all stakeholders recognise that, while we hold great admiration for Marie’s contributions and wish her continued success, compliance with the law is imperative to foster a fair and equitable business environment for all.
The Department of Crown lands went on to encourage persons desirous of opportunities at the Mount Pimard Beach Park to contact the National Conservation Authority.
That’s the replacement playground for losing driving access to the waterfront, same access closing in by spinnakers..also if you didn’t know the moon was sold to Cabot for condominiums ….so they have closed off from Cas-en-Bas to Cap Estate for Cabot smmph and I see countless water trucks delivering water to Cabot before the neighborhood people even receive basic water delivery again smph,. Can someone please fix the road by Sandals Cap, I hit a hole bc of a Cabot bus…an had to replace upper arm bushing bc the road holes are a few feet deep and very dangerous…..
It’s still not clear, did Marie accept the offer to operate her restaurant in the new facility??
Selling off “Crown Lands” to “investors” … pretty soon, SLU will become like Jamaica; not a place for locals to enjoy their own premises. Wait and see. Just now security guards will be removing people from that beach.
As for Marie, her “operations” should have been looked at from many years ago, with the foresight of “doing things” properly (licenses, etc.) – but as usual, the myopic misfits only think of now for now. So, Marie stick in dat! She was never looked at for expansion/assistance. This is “life” in SLU!
What to do? First of all, prevent squatting. Secondly, beautify the surroundings. One can never tell what developments (investors, aka the neo-colonists) will arise. Sorry Marie’s Fish Shack – you COULD have been warned.
They made cabot give the lady at Cas en bas a way better deal. Why? because at the time, this current government was in opposition and made noise for her. My lady relocate and don’t pay the rent…… Next update is on the unfair treatment of the resident who’s properties adjoin A’ILA Resort…….. At this rate, hotels are 1st class and citizens 2nd class. Plantation vibes all over again.