STORE OWNERS operating in Norman Centre Mall on Broad Street, The City, are fuming about receiving two month’s notice to vacate the premises.
In a letter dated November 29 from Norman Finance Developments Ltd director Stephen Edghill, the store owners were informed of plans to upgrade the mall as well as build a multi-storey car park.
“We wish to advise there is an urgent need to significantly upgrade Norman Centre, including the electrical and air-conditioning services.
“In order to facilitate these works and the construction of a multi-storey car park, it is necessary to close the mall on 31st January, 2011,”
the letter said.
“We expect that these upgrades will be completed in six months. On completion of these works you will be offered preference for equivalent accommodation.
“Please take this as notice under your current monthly tenancy agreement that you must vacate your space by January 31st, 2011.
“Thank you for your cooperation and your business,” the letter stated.
The WEEKEND NATION yesterday spoke with some store owners who were all upset about what they called inadequate notice and apparent disregard for them. Some called the measures “ruthless”, “inhuman”, and “cut-throat”.
“I think it is really insensitive at this point in time. The late Prime Minister [David Thompson] spoke about encouraging entrepreneurship and there is all this talk about controlling unemployment but [Norman Finance] are putting 26 small businesses and sending more than 130 employees out without discussion, which is really out of place,” said DaCosta Brathwaite, the owner of D’s Mega Style Inc. He has been operating from Norman Centre almost three years and employs nine staff.
“They should have sat with us so we could come to an agreement and have time to find other places to go. Sixty days is out of order; under corporate law, this is unconstitutional so it may end up in a different place,” he said.
Brathwaite said he had drafted a letter to Norman Finance and added that if this yielded no result, he was prepared to take it to the High Court.
Marcia Martindale, who has been operating Martindale’s in Norman Centre for 18 years and employs four staff, said the notice showed a lack of consideration for Barbadians.
“Why do we allow foreign companies to come here, reap the sweets, then tell us to leave without [proper] notice?
“My problem is not with what they are doing, it is their mall, but how it is being done. I need more time to relocate because I have an investment and I recently bought new stock for the season.
“My view is if people have been here so many years, don’t you owe them more than a letter and two months’ notice? You’re telling me to get rid of my stock in two months? I need at least six months, it’s not right!” she said.
Brother D [jewellery store] is one of the longest running stores in the mall, opening a few months after the mall opened 32 years ago. Owner Jacqueline Smith employs three staff.
She said: “They forced us to sign a lease telling us if we wanted to leave to give them three months’ notice then turn around and give us two months to leave?
“How do they expect me to find a place for 22 showcases? It’s not only me but my staff, who have families,” she said.
Other store owners who voiced their opinion were Barbara Lightbourne, who operates Rainbow Boutique (27 years, six staff), and the owner of Excell sales, who requested anonymity.
Lightbourne said she was in shock about how badly they were being treated but had no choice but to look for another location while the owner of Excell Sales, who sells LIME mobile products, said it was “unprofessional and inconsiderate” in light of the current economic downturn.
Attempts to contact Edghill for comment were unsuccessful up to Press time.