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'Absolutely necessary' to expand Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park- Vance M. Lewis

- said park does not have enough units to meet demands
Tenants at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park have been getting a 75% reduction in rent due to the hardships posed to businesses by the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP), Mr Vance M. Lewis is calling for more units at the park, adding that despite the coronavirus pandemic entrepreneurs are desirous of conducting business at the facility. Photo: VINO
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP), Mr Vance M. Lewis is calling for more units at the park, adding that despite the coronavirus pandemic entrepreneurs are desirous of conducting business at the facility. Photo: VINO
The management of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park continues to receive applications for rental of units. Photo: VINO/File
The management of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park continues to receive applications for rental of units. Photo: VINO/File
WICKHAM’S CAY I, Tortola, VI- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP), Mr Vance M. Lewis is calling for more units at the park, adding that despite the coronavirus pandemic entrepreneurs are desirous of conducting business at the facility.

He made the comment on the backdrop that a few tenants exited the facility due to the effect of the pandemic.

“We have had tenants who have applied to us to change some of their products and services, and we have had just a small number of tenants who decided that under the current climate that they couldn’t make it. [But]We have got a huge number of applicants, people want to apply.

“We had a meeting earlier this week to talk about giving consideration to others, and we still find the biggest constraint is that we don’t have enough units,” he said on Friday, July 10, 2020, during a press conference.

‘Absolutely essential’ to expand facility- Lewis

He added: “It is absolutely essential that we seek to do whatever is necessary to expand the facility just so that it is the number one facility, not only in the region but the world.”

When pressed, he said the tenants that left are in the low single digits in terms of numbers, and the tenants who have applied are in the low double digits, and that number is rising.

“There are others who have applied from both local sources and international sources who want to come to this facility. I believe we have done a lot of things right, and we are trying to ensure that we keep business opportunities open during these difficult times,” he pointed out.

Rent reductions continue

In the meantime, Mr Lewis said tenants would continue to benefit from the rent reduction.

“Our concessions were from April when we had the lockdown and a month after in May, and June, they got 75 per cent discount, and we continue that through this month of July, and next month as well,” he said.

“The idea is to make sure we can do things to stimulate the local economy even though that hurts us in the management of the facility,” Mr Lewis stated.

24 Responses to “'Absolutely necessary' to expand Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park- Vance M. Lewis”

  • Roadman (13/07/2020, 09:40) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    The pier park already ain’t making a set of money. Mark done spend in excess of $40 million. They definitely need to cut you salary.
  • Well (13/07/2020, 09:42) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
    It was a waste of money the whole purpose was to extend the dock but yet only two ships can dock like ever before, they should’ve had 2 docks to accommodate 4 ships a day..
  • hmm (13/07/2020, 09:43) Like (46) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was supposed to be more buildings ask mark and Claude Skelton where the rest money gone
  • tola (13/07/2020, 09:45) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    I dont understand how come them still getting full salary and no cruise ship in there

    Them ain't doing ah thing in Pier park just walking up and down
  • foxy (13/07/2020, 10:02) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one went to jail for the 50m over run
  • rewrsdffds (13/07/2020, 10:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really....
  • HMMM (13/07/2020, 10:21) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    he start smoking that medical ganja or wha?
  • Guest (13/07/2020, 10:23) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Will it be expanded under the previous budget? Since all that was supposed to be built under the previous budget never was built??
  • broken promises (13/07/2020, 10:57) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    It was promised that there would only be a few eating and drinking spots in the beginning so those who invested could be successful. Now it has turned into a food court and saturated with food vendors making it very difficult for those who have been there from the beginning and were promised that there would not be so many bars and restaurants. Yes, I am a vendor and was promised that there would not be same menus but that the 'few' food vendors would be unique and diverse. Watch and see how many more food places get in and how many more will go out of business. They have flooded the market with food vendors that are allowed to sell the same menus. Management should keep promises and be supportive to those vendors who faithfully continue to try to be successful instead of making it so difficult.
    • Restaurant owner (13/07/2020, 13:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Same can be said for the Supermarkets competing with their customers. Not good!
  • nonsense (13/07/2020, 11:26) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Before long the Pier Park is going to be as dead as Havensight. Cruise ship passengers don't spend any money because they already spent it for the cruise tickets. And the cruise lines have enough crap on board for them to spend what other travel disposable income they have. What a ting. The Pier Park isn't even a viable travel/tourist option or attraction. A bunch of stores of precious little quality...most of that stuff you can buy online. Stupes. If I wasn't from here, I wouldn't vacation here. The quality of the tourist suck, the food sucks, all those beach chairs suck, restaurant staff need training, those safari buses aren't safe, and the roads suck. I'm also tired of all The Tourist Board Ads that makes it seems like only Caucasians vacation in the BVI and all the dark skinned people show up in pics as waiters, hotel staff or entertainment. So the TB advertisement suck because it shows a lack of diversity all the way around. I remember going to Anegada for a weekend getaway and a guest on the ABC shuttle sitting next to me asked if I was going to work. What a ting. And I had luggage. You turning this place into an el cheapo option of the caribbean that sends the wrong message. The only thing saving our bacon is that our waters still look good. But keep turning all the beaches into a cheap knock off and keep pushing that non-diverse advertisement agenda and see what happens. And I would seriously like to know who all these applicants at the Pier Park are...sounds like the BS you say to shareholders when you want to make a project seem like its not an impending failure.
  • O Boy.. (13/07/2020, 12:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strupes... When aome people dint have nothing constructive to say, its better to stat quiet....
  • Hmm (13/07/2020, 12:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Lewis the unfortunate thing about your comment is that is the nonsense you are feeding the premier. Pier park is a failure.
  • more (13/07/2020, 14:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dont see the need for more. May be the need to manage spacing better not everyone selling the same things and food.
  • Boondoggle (13/07/2020, 16:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seems like a bad investment tome. 6 months on, 6 months off...
  • strupesss (13/07/2020, 16:16) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    the pier spaces are over price. I came to them with an idea of a business and the price they hit me for a spot was ridiculous and because i cant afford their spot the lady was telling me i should change my business idea.

    No woman You guys need lower you rent.

    Election time all politicians going around campaign bout young entrepreneur and helping young people. To this day i have not seen a start! Guess who not voting next election!!
  • Parking (13/07/2020, 20:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    PARKING, PARKING, PARKING!!!!!
  • LCS (13/07/2020, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He claims in another news site that the numbers of businesses are in the "low one digit". Many have left. Can't cut it or make any money. This is contradictory. Are we talking about the same place?
  • FEO GOMEZ (14/07/2020, 14:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Expand it to hold what VANCE? Tell us VANCE smh you already have dumb @#$ store trying to sell crap 

  • Pier (14/07/2020, 15:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The thing with them so call managers and supervisors down pier park them feel them brain big and have everything going well. Please

    Pier park ain't ready
  • Yup (14/07/2020, 20:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ain’t ready and never been ready!


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