SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
PRESIDENT OF the St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dennis Robotham, says he has great concern about businesses moving out of Spanish Town, even though there is a plan afoot to redevelop the Old Capital.
Mr. Robotham told The Gleaner that there is currently legislation before Parliament for the approval of the redevelopment process by SPARCOM (Spanish Town Redevelopment Committee), which Government will sponsor 51 per cent and the private sector 49 per cent.
He said that when the legislation is approved, refurbishing work will begin on the Emancipation Square next to the parish council building.
POLICE POST
He lamented that even though the work will be carried out, several businesses such as the courthouse, the police post, and the Victim Support Unit will no longer be a feature of the redevelopment as they will be going elsewhere.
"I have information that the old courthouse that has been recently gutted by fire will be moving to Twickenham Park and this cannot be good for the redevelopment of Spanish Town as the National Housing Trust (NHT) is also slated to remove its office anytime now out of Spanish Town," he said. "This is not good."
Mr. Robotham said that, with the removal of businesses like the NHT, which is able to generate some level of business in Spanish Town, things are failing to develop with the promise necessary to see a brighter future for Spanish Town.
The recent removal of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is also cause for concern as several residents, business persons and pensioners have been complaining.
The chamber has written to BNS to have it reconsider its decision.
He said that Spanish Town still has hope, but needs the support of all for it to survive.
- R.T.
