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‘Employees were like family to us’ – David V. Johnson

- said Biras Creek Resort closure is due to a combination of business reasons, but primarily because it was operating under a limited term lease
Even after waiting until the ninth hour to break the sad news that all the employees of Biras Creek Resort would be sent home indefinitely with immediate effect, yesterday June 16, 2015, Mr David V. Johnson, the Chairman of Victor International Corporation that managed Biras Creek Resort,said the employees were like family to him. Photo: oilnutbay.com
Mr Johnson, in a press release, said the closure is due to a combination of business reasons, but is primarily because the resort has been operating under a limited term lease. Photo: Trip Advisor
Mr Johnson, in a press release, said the closure is due to a combination of business reasons, but is primarily because the resort has been operating under a limited term lease. Photo: Trip Advisor
BIRAS CREEK, Virgin Gorda, VI – Even after waiting until the ninth hour to break the sad news that all the employees of Biras Creek Resort would be sent home indefinitely with immediate effect, yesterday June 16, 2015, Mr David V. Johnson, the Chairman of Victor International Corporation that managed Biras Creek Resort, said the employees were like family to him.

The sudden closure of the resort has affected some 73 employees, some of whom had more than 20 years of service at the popular resort.

The management of Biras Creek Resort has continued not to respond to calls but in a release to the media Mr Johnson shed some light on the unfortunate situation when he noted that the Premier and Minister of Finance was aware of what was about to go down, in advance.

“It is with sadness that we announce that we will be discontinuing operations of Biras Creek Resort as of today, June 16. The closure is due to a combination of business reasons, but is primarily because we have been operating the resort under a limited term lease. We have had some preliminary discussions with the Premier and Minister of Tourism regarding the situation in recent days; however, at this time the future is uncertain,” said Mr Johnson.

Premier Smith, in a statement issued to the media after this news site broke the news of the resort closure, said he only knew of the impending closure last Friday June 12, 2015. He also noted that 23 of the employees affected are Virgin Islanders.

"My Government will do everything possible to soften the impact of the resort closure on the workers, their families and the community. Already, We have asked the Labour Ministry to facilitate as efficiently as possible, the transitioning of any of the workers to other employment opportunities that they may find. We are engaging other resorts to determine whether there are opportunities to place any of the workers. We have asked the Immigration Department to allow the workers that are subject to immigration control appropriate time to seek and find other job opportunities," Premier Smith stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson in his release stated that management is currently utilising every resource to support the Biras Creek employees, “..who are like family to us, and cannot be more thankful to them for their loyalty and for creating incredible memories for our guests throughout the history of the resort. Furthermore, we will honour all obligations to our employees under the BVI Labour Code.”

Mr Johnson offered deepest gratitude to the Virgin Islands government for their support of Biras Creek Resort and for encouraging their ongoing management of the property over the past nine years.

He said management is exploring all options to relocate existing reservations and will be in touch with each guest individually. 

David V. Johnson’s other ties in the VI

According to oilnutbay.com, David V. Johnson spent 10 years touring the world before concluding that the stunning beauty and political stability of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands was the perfect location for his family community of luxury homes.

“Johnson's passion to create a development of luxury homes in the Caribbean has come to life with meticulous attention to detail and environmental integrity at Oil Nut Bay. 

“Victor International is also visionary developer of the superyacht marina and yacht club, YCCS Virgin Gorda, in the North Sound, British Virgin Islands,” the website stated.

20 Responses to “‘Employees were like family to us’ – David V. Johnson”

  • 123 (17/06/2015, 15:58) Like (26) Dislike (8) Reply
    yea right and we must beleive that!
  • pls observed (17/06/2015, 16:10) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    23 of the employees affected are Virgin Islanders ?
  • family (17/06/2015, 16:13) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Back where I come from, that's what we call a whopper! The USA embraces people such as David V. Johnson,
    and we look forward to his prompt return.
    • johnny (17/06/2015, 17:29) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
      This is business. Biras Creek was leased by Mr. Johnson as a staring block/stepping stone for Oil Nut Bay. Since that is taking off, there is no longer a need for Biras Creek and because he can't build a road through it to Oil Nut it is time to cut the cord.
      • shaw (17/06/2015, 22:42) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
        EXACTLY!! What I have been saying but my posts keep getting censored on the other site. thank you for pointing out the connection and Johnson's bigger plan. He got his ONB in the fine print when signed off by NDP.
        The big celebration was spending $1 mill in renovations to Biras while the other slight of hand was buying 400 acres.
  • Judas (17/06/2015, 16:39) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yea--Family, Judas was a close family of the Disciples also and like a brother to Jesus---We know how that turned out.
  • frog (17/06/2015, 16:53) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    would he sacrifice his family for profits? would he punish them because they would not sell their hard-built resort to him? He can't do what he wants so he takes his marbles and leaves? How much profit does he want to make anyway? Why does he have to max out everything?
  • C..t (17/06/2015, 17:05) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp
  • Hmm (17/06/2015, 17:34) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    But how the Premier said he wasn't aware of the situation until after the election. Ting to talk!
    • Hmm what? (17/06/2015, 17:55) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Hmm "We have had some preliminary discussions with the Premier and Minister of Tourism regarding the situation in recent days" which part of this statement suggests that it was BEFORE the election, as you are implying?
    • Lolz (19/06/2015, 09:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      He said that to get the vote...people of the island was blind....
  • tola (17/06/2015, 18:14) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply

    Dr smith mother will be turning in her grave to hear his unt***s

  • multinational (17/06/2015, 19:49) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply

    Biras Creek is an excellent establishment. Mr. Johnson has infuriated and outraged many people across the spectrum
    rich or poor. He is being held liable and faces legal response from both customers and guests of Biras Creek as well
    as all those who were employed there. I don't know why the South American owner chose to put Mr. Johnson and
    his questionable (at best) company in charge, even though they did some good, and last time I was there in February,
    it was as usual a wonderful visit. But his alleged using it for the sake of Oil Nut, and then closing it, and so on - he could be
    dealt with by international law and I hope he has the billions claimed he has - 'cause he will need it. It will be opened
    again...

  • Voter Too (17/06/2015, 20:37) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well perhaps this is one of the finance and strategies that NDP has in stored for us.It has closed under them and it will be opened under them. The money wasted on election will now surfaced to open this resort under the government to make us think this is a new project.
  • luvbiras (17/06/2015, 23:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is sad to read the news of the closing of the biras resort. we have been avid and recurring customers of biras for over 20 years. while we are believers in the need for change and embrace those that take risks in the pursuit of excellence and service, the changes brought about by Mr Johnson appear to be of questionable or sustainable value to biras or broadly to virgin gorda as oil nut and even YCCS appear to be at least as of today failed developments. if biras creek is a victim of that failed bet, the outcome is that much sadder. the owners of biras (contrary to Mr. Johnson's assertions "not him") are a family that loves biras that saw their children grow in biras and virgin gorda, and am sure they will return the property to the biras we have all come to love and thereby protect the many families that have dedicate their lives to the success of biras.
  • ausar (18/06/2015, 10:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How convenient after a mere fortnight after elections that this pronouncement was made!

    Could it have been co-ordinated to dissuade voters in the ninth from voicing opposition to the incumbent party?

    Hmm........I wanna know!
  • Alaric (18/06/2015, 12:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hmmn... family? At times it's your family that hit you the hardest blows. if you truly saw them as family you trying to tell me that there is nothing that could have been done instead of this? some of the workers didn't even know of this meeting that was to take place until they got the letter. So many workers are out of work.. what will they do. Also, I find it strange that now you Mr. Johnson is saying how the Premier and Dep. Premier was aware of this in advance. Hmmmn. makes me wonder how well in advance they knew this. So sad.... God sees everything...the injustices of one to another....
  • IMAGE (18/06/2015, 16:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    look IN THE MIRROR


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