Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Out! 'Willy T' must leave Peter Island Harbour by December 30, 2018

-Second time in five months to be push out and around
Out! Willy T must leave Peter Island Harbour by December 30, 2018. Photo: VINO/File
Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (Left), supports Amway’s’ decision for ‘Willy T’ to leave ‘Great Harbour’ on Peter Island while Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL) who helped negotiate the move to Peter Island some months ago, did not respond to our news desk inquiry, as of publication time. Photo: VINO/File
Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (Left), supports Amway’s’ decision for ‘Willy T’ to leave ‘Great Harbour’ on Peter Island while Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL) who helped negotiate the move to Peter Island some months ago, did not respond to our news desk inquiry, as of publication time. Photo: VINO/File
PETER ISLAND, VI - Months after William Thornton aka ‘Willy T’—a floating restaurant and bar—owned by Ms Heather L. Anderson, a belonger of the Virgin Islands, with her husband Ewan C. Anderson, who manage the business was forced from ‘The Bight,’ off Norman Island, they will have to move again.

They had found a new home in Great Harbour, Peter Island though an arrangement with the Romney family, one of four owners of Peter Island and started the operation there on June 5, 2018.

Word now from Mr Anderson is that they have now been given until the end of December 2018, to vacate the location as the owners of Peter Island Resort & Spa, Amway Corporation, does not want them there and had “placed in writing their major objections.”  

Mr Anderson also confirmed that the Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), whom he went to, is supporting Amway’s’ decision for ‘Willy T’ to leave ‘Great Harbour’ on Peter Island.

Business being pushed around

Mr Anderson has lived in the Territory for over 35 years; been involved in several other businesses, in addition to having all his children being born in the Territory.

He has also been integrally involved in numerous community activities.

Mr Anderson said he approached other Ministers of Government and was told, “nothing came to cuscus and Cabinet on my matter,”  so it appears that the Premier is just “making decisions on his own to support what Peter Island wants.”

He related his views to this publication in a telephone interview yesterday Sunday, November 11, 2018.

Asked about his his next step, the businessman said, “I am considering all the options including leaving the Virgin Islands for good.”

Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL) who helped negotiate the move to Peter Island some months ago, did not respond to our news desk inquiry, as of publication time.

15 Responses to “Out! 'Willy T' must leave Peter Island Harbour by December 30, 2018 ”

  • Soft Government (12/11/2018, 09:41) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    This Government is very soft to these Peter Island owners. According to the law, the seabed is always owned and managed by the Crown. Amway does not own Peter Island, only a portion, there's other owners as well.

    After Amway is permitted to do this, who's next. This Government and Premier is too soft for me.
  • BRAD BOYNES (12/11/2018, 09:47) Like (36) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is past ridiculous. Orlando is a useless leader and it's showing more and more. Suck this.
    • Reply (12/11/2018, 10:59) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
      I am sure he has support from the overseas people
    • The Bee (13/11/2018, 14:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

      How nice that Premier is bowing to and obeying Betsy DeVos, a group dedicated to making America racist again. $$$ talks and The Premier listens to $$$.

  • Gandalf (12/11/2018, 09:49) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    I do not really care about the business, but I do care about our rights as BVIslanders being stamped on by billionaires, and big business, while seemingly supported by Government. I do not know all the stuff that is happening behind the scenes but the fact that Necker, Eustacia, and Oil Nut Bay started this, then Norman followed suit, and now an even more emboldened Peter has followed in lock and step. Where does it now end? Can we no longer use our beaches, anchor on our shores, and enjoy our islands the way the law allows us to? Or will our islands slowly be denied to us by those with wealth as our Government silently endorses their actions by sitting idly and saying absolutely nothing. It has been a frightening evolution to watch (let alone see it actually happen) under this Government! Their are willfully complicit in allowing this to happen and it is a disgrace.

    As stated. The business issue is what it is. The owners need to fight their own battles. But as a people, the bigger picture of what is happening needs to see someone in leadership, or these new political parties step the hell up and say something! If not, we as a people need to stand up and reestablish our legal rights to anchor, swim, and beach anywhere we damn well want!
  • just asking... (12/11/2018, 11:50) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about other businesses who faces the same things?
  • Listen (12/11/2018, 13:49) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Come Vg please and thanks!!!! Blessings
  • Follow the gwop (12/11/2018, 15:56) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of ayo can’t see it for wah it fah and that’s sad. Elections time are nearer and nearer every day. Funds are needed to support campaigns- where do you think they’re going to get it from? Not one of them going use ‘personal’ funds to run their campaigns. Ayo see any ‘fund-raising’ going on? Don’t be naively blind to the situation unfolding. Like we say ‘money make the mare run’. Deeper pockets and bigger hawks (lawyers) and forces unbeknownst to the common folks are at play. Sad to see another VI business have to suffer and employees and families lives disrupted.
  • wize up (12/11/2018, 16:43) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    this territory was so beautiful while we were nature's little secret: the secret is out and the folks with big bucks continue pushing the people them come meet here out of the food chain: leadership is so important but who can you have a conversation with: all the little man brings to the bargaining table is hot air & talk: where as those other folks have the ability to offer our leaders bribes(new BMWs:ownerships in private villas: flights on private jets:paid vacations: maybe open an private account for their political handlers: it’s amazing how companies that require permission to function in this territory have more clought than most BVIslanders...one word(money!!!!) for 30 pieces of sliver the BVIslander must move to the back of the bus(what ah ting!!!!!)

  • Fine With Me (12/11/2018, 17:40) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    What starts bad usually ends bad. Before permission was given for the floating restaurant to operate at Peter Island, the opinions of all stakeholders should have been sought; and even then a meeting should have taken place before they were allowed to relocate.
  • Come Anegada (12/11/2018, 18:43) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We will welcome you with open arms on Anegada!!
  • Curious. (13/11/2018, 08:45) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    The hurricane Irma changed everything with the various restaurants cater to boats. With a lot smaller fleet of customers the existing businesses are struggling. The Romney family has a restaurant very close to where the Willy t relocated and they are a local family for generations . My money would say it is them that want it moved.
    I dont know where it could go as it needs a sheltered anchorage . At anagada you would get objections from Lowell family .jost you know Foxy would not welcome you or white bay or by taboo. In VG north sound bitter end , Saba rock , Leverick, fat Virgin , YCCS , biras creek , Sandbox. Hog heaven . Already a crowded area when everyone is rebuilt .
    Off the valley in VG is not practical with groundseas and already too many restaurants on shore. Cooper island already has a restaurant.
    Best place would be back at Norman but in Benuras bay on the north shore . That would not directly compete with Pirates and is a good quiet anchorage and makes another sailing destination .
    • Hmmmm (13/11/2018, 11:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Romney's are already part owners of the Willy-T business, and have been since Cyril's days. Just in case you were not aware of that fact.
    • update (13/11/2018, 16:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      1. Pirates and Willy T weren't in "competition" - they complemented each other and it's clear Pirates will lose business now that Willy T has gone.
      2. The exact same goes for Ocean Seven at Peter Island - owned by the Romneys and they would have both benefited from having a decent beach restaurant/wild bar right next to each other.
      3. It's the rich owners of these islands (not the restaurants on them!) who want Willy T gone so they can develop more of the islands without the Willy T affecting their image portrayed to their millionaire friends buying up the lots and putting up big houses.
      • Tomas (14/02/2019, 16:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Been sailing BVI annually since 1977. The Bight at Norman was a quiet, wonderful anchorage---no moorings. Several years ago I complained to the Minister of Tourism about the rowdy behavior and totally vulgar rap 'music' emanating from the Willy T.. Good riddance


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.