CONSTRUCTION of the multimillion-dollar Merricks Resort at Merricks, St Philip, should begin soon.
The United Kingdom-based company, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts – developers of the US$400 million project – have confirmed that they recently obtained planning permission and would be having a ground-breaking ceremony at the end of this month.
The tourist complex includes three five-star hotel blocks, eight apartment blocks, 18 “plantation” houses, 42 one-bedroom cabanas, a 500-seat conference room, restaurants, shops and a spa village.
Last year, at a town hall meeting here, chairman of Harlequin, Dave Ames, said 700 people would be employed during the construction phase and another 1500 would be needed to staff the complex.
Catherine Brennan, of BGB Communications, the public relations firm for Harlequin, told the WEEKEND NATION that Harlequin was unable to begin work on the project because of the delay in obtaining planning permission.
That, she said, was finally received on May 19.
Since 2007, Harlequin has been offering off-plan units to investors with an attractive package, including 100 per cent financing and just 1000 pds reservation fee until completion.
Asked if investors had demanded refunds due to the lengthy delay of the project, Brennan said, “Only a very small number who were expecting a quicker return on investment have asked for a refund. In most cases this was as a result of the planning permission for this site taking much longer than was initially anticipated.”
She admitted that Harlequin had experienced “bad press” about its Merricks Resort in the form of an inaccurate article printed in one of the British tabloids last year.
She said the company took legal action against the newspaper and as a result the offending article was withdrawn and a formal apology issued.
Brennan further explained that the current plan for the resort was to have phase 1 completed by 2012, phase 2 completed by 2013 and phase 3 completed by 2014.
On the question of what impact the current economic situation had had on the company, Brennan said Harlequin Properties continued to experience growth in investments. She added that the company had employed a team of industry experts to work on its marketing and promotion strategy for Merricks Resort and had every confidence in the direction of its current marketing strategy.
In terms of the prices offered for the resort, Brennan stated: “The prices offered are subject to regular increases and reflect what Harlequin believes to be realistic values, taking into account the demand and other economic factors.”
Last year, St Philip residents expressed concern about the heavy water demand for the project, which was estimated at 260 000 gallons daily. At that time a suggestion was made that the company construct a desalination plant to augment its supply from the Barbados Water Authority.
In a newsletter on its website, Harlequin noted that a joint venture for the installation of a water treatment plant had been agreed between Government and its contractors.
Harlequin is also expected to roll out its Buccament Bay Resort in St Vincent in December.
