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Disgruntled Pier Park tenants allegedly seeking meeting with Premier

- Despite $1.5M worth in concessions, tenants allegedly furious that rent has to be paid in full from March 2021
Amidst allegation that some Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP) tenants are planning to meet with Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) to shere concerns about the facility, the Pier Park’s CEO, Vance M. Lewis has fired out with a number of claims. Photo: VINO/File
CEO of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park Limited Mr Vance M. Lewis indicated that some 1.5M in COVID-19 concessions were given to the tenants. Photo: VINO/File
CEO of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park Limited Mr Vance M. Lewis indicated that some 1.5M in COVID-19 concessions were given to the tenants. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Amidst allegation that some Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP) tenants are planning to meet with Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) to share concerns about the facility, the Pier Park’s CEO, Vance M. Lewis has fired out with a number of claims.

Reports reaching our newsroom are that tenants are unhappy that they are being asked to pay rent in full from this month, March 2021.

Virgin Islands News Online reached out to Mr Lewis over the reports today, March 4, 2021, and he confirmed that tenants were indeed seeking to have an audience with the Premier.

Mr Lewis said “I was made to understand that a group of tenants who currently have leases in the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP) are about to make representation to the Honourable Premier and I would like to ensure that in the interest of fairness I get the Pier Park side of the story out.”

Tenants had concerns addressed before – TPP CEP

He said 2019 however, the TPP Board constituted with a sole director taking over the role of having oversight of the Pier Park operations, “The director met with each tenant, listened to their concerns and following these meetings the following were some to the actions,” he said. 

He said that as a result of the meeting, Common Area Maintenance fees (CAM) were reduced to 3% from 5%, Rental rates were reduced in many cases by up to $5 per sq. ft and There was debt forgiveness on behalf of a number of tenants who were struggling following the hurricanes of 2017

Further, the management team commenced a public relations exercise with tenants to change the then perception that the park was only for cruise ship passengers, the park hours were extended, the range of products that Tenants were permitted to carry was expanded and that the Pier Park increased the number of events in an effort to bring more footfall to the facility

He said in 2019 and early 2020, the concessions were in excess of $100,000, before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

$1.5M COVID-19 concessions were offered to tenants

Further, the CEO said that that recognising the impacts of COVID-19 and local economic challenges, rent discount for April 2020 was 100%, the rent for May through October 2020 was discounted by 75% and November 2020 through February 2021 rent saw a discount percentage of 50%.

He said the total concessions given to tenants for COVID-19 was $1.5M even as the facility strived to operate at international standards. 

In reminding tenants that strong demand still exists for space at the facility, the TPP CEO said “I would like to say to all tenants who are considering leaving the CBRTPP that they can formally request to break."

More space for new tenants 

“We will call applicants on file, so that they can give their landlords requisite notice. To my knowledge, no landlord in the territory has given such significant concessions and for the length of time that TPPL has,” he said.

He said locals who are operating elsewhere will now get an opportunity to operate at the CBRTPP, should the old tenants leave.

28 Responses to “Disgruntled Pier Park tenants allegedly seeking meeting with Premier”

  • Hewlett (04/03/2021, 19:05) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    The tenants at the Pier Park needed a landlord like the one up the Ghut. That old crow don't give back deposits and the jamdown she marry to just as bad as her....WICKEDDDD!
    • boo boo (04/03/2021, 22:08) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not all landlords wicked. Some tenants just dumb an ignorant. Bring relatives to steal even after getting free rent. Voodoo an thief all they do. Did u have a receipt 4 your deposit?
    • Up the Gut (04/03/2021, 23:46) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      The old goat and the Jamdown leave the judging of their wickedness to their Master who recognizes ingratitude and deceit in everyone.
    • Sam (05/03/2021, 18:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I used to rent from them also, worst landlords ever. Would never fix a thing, always threatening to raise rent, would knock on the door 7am New Years Day to collect a check. Disgusting people.
  • tretretrete (04/03/2021, 19:21) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    I mean! They got a decent amount of break and business stimulus support. Just aim for the local market and get a bit on the profit line. There’s not much can be done and if they open the sea port that doesn’t mean people still have money for a vacation. Just like how you ain’t work to afford travel money who say the said tourists work to have travel money?
    • @hmmm (05/03/2021, 09:36) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      What local market? Are you guys living in the same BVI as everyone else?
  • @hewlett (04/03/2021, 19:28) Like (5) Dislike (17) Reply
    Leave Jamdown out of this mess. Lewis is not to be trusted.
  • james (04/03/2021, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow
  • tretretrete (04/03/2021, 20:20) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    I mean! They got a decent amount of break and business stimulus support. Just aim for the local market and get a bit on the profit line. There’s not much can be done and if they open the sea port that doesn’t mean people still have money for a vacation. Just like how are you work and don’t have money to travel how are you know those people haven’t work and have money to travel.
    • Business (05/03/2021, 09:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Stores selling items for tourists and paying $2000 a month in rent plus having to pay staff ,do you really think that is feasible?
  • ccc (04/03/2021, 20:34) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    It’s good to hear both sides
  • Observer (04/03/2021, 20:49) Like (5) Dislike (15) Reply
    "He said locals who are operating elsewhere will now get an opportunity to operate at the CBRTPP, should the old tenants leave."
    Was this his ultimate goal by raising the rent and now threatening the tenants? Hmmm.
  • musa (04/03/2021, 21:25) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Well i said this a long time back this team of leaders need to support the tenant a little more a lease 2 months more .
  • jokes (04/03/2021, 21:33) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Who in their right mind will rent spaces at pier park in these times? Is Mr Lewis a taste tester for the new canabis initiative??
  • Interesting (04/03/2021, 21:59) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    what mr. lewis fails to.mention is that any new tenant wishing to take up vacant space.. will NOT be given any breaks on rent..it will be full rent all through the year.
    other ports such as antigua..st martin who have a vastly larger local.population have given 100% free space to their existing tenants because they cant rely on their 80,000 + local population to generate enough i come to tide them through.
    If Mr. Lewis wants to get his side out publically then maybe tenants should publish their letter also........it would be interesting reading i am sure.
    • Yes (05/03/2021, 09:01) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      but what you fail to mention is those tennants in antigua and st martin paid their rent on time for years, unlike the people in the pier park, thats the difference!
    • @Interesting (05/03/2021, 10:33) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      If the new tenants are offered a space but can't afford the rent then its very simple. DON'T TAKE THE SPACE.
  • Challenger (04/03/2021, 22:03) Like (15) Dislike (15) Reply
    i dont think that is a very proffessional approach by Vance.
    this is between pier park...their tenants and now the Premier.....i think hes jumped the gun here........basically saying publically...we at tpp dont give a damn if teants want to leave...let them leave..we have plenty of people to fill the spaces.
    a very one sided account and as i said...not very proffessional a d i am.suprised he has done this in this way.
    we will see what happens
    respectfully submitted
  • Excuses Government (05/03/2021, 07:46) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ain't taking responsibility for nothing that goes wrong in this country,,,,,They find something or someone to blame especially Covid,. The government have the country bankrupt,. U can't tell them that, it's Covid fault,,, Covid making all the failing decisions,,,,, Time they Stop getting paid because they are not working,,
  • who do you believe (05/03/2021, 08:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    https://bvinews.com/premier-appeals-to-landlords-telecoms-providers-to-show-compassion-during-covid-19/

    This article of less than 1 year old
    Who or What to believe this days
  • wow (05/03/2021, 08:45) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    You All on here crying for the Tennants at the Pier. Some of them are the same Landlords saying the same words used by Lewis to their Tennants whom never received any break from them the landlords or Government.
  • wondering (05/03/2021, 08:46) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    When are the cruiseships returning to the pier park full of tourists? Who would move their business in to the Pier park, it is obviously about to become a ghost town, just like in those old movies? The people are suffering while the VIP just keeps spending money but not helping those who have lost their jobs, or have had their hours cut back due to China Virus. Are the ships really returning in June, as the advertising on the cruise sites shows? Why are we not hearing this from the Premier?
  • bvi (05/03/2021, 13:06) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    TRUST COMPANIES WOULD LOVE THAT SPACE...............
  • tretretrete (05/03/2021, 14:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Agenda back slide 1921
  • School Children Say..... (05/03/2021, 15:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    .... They say that as the spaces become empty, the Board would have relatives / friends to put in there.
    Is the plan to kill the Cruise Tourism now?
    if not, then 'when' the filled up ships and High Season returns, who will served them?
    Is the Pier Park turning into a Business Park ?
    Much to speculate.... with the new marihuana business in the developing stages too. Hmmmmm
  • Tourism Projection (05/03/2021, 19:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does the Tourism Plan includes the Pier Park restructuring? Have any discussions been had with the Junior Minister of Tourism on how the atmosphere of the Pier will change if tenants are unable to keep their doors open. What is the future plan of all this? This act/ non-action affects the entire BVI, should the Cruise industry comes back online what would be the Tourist's interest or perspective be? What image are we really trying to portray? In my opinion Vance Lewis is just surviving up what his master's tell him. Something is amiss. Did I hear someone say COI!?


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