Entertainment operators in St Lawrence Gap and residents living in the area need to sit and talk about the issue of noise in the Christ Church tourist strip.
This was the main point made by some Nation online readers who were commenting on a recent article where president of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association Colin Jordan called for a balance to be struck after operators complained about a fall-off in business which they blame on earlier closing times and concerns from residents who live there who say they can’t get to sleep.
Most agreed with the call for balance.
In a Nation Talkback on the topic today, we asked online readers to offer suggestions to achieve this balance.
This is what some had to say.
Michelle Joseph: “You have to remember that some people have lived there for years before the noise began. They can’t be vilified for wanting sleep. Maybe there is a way to sound-proof the businesses somehow to better contain the sound with a ‘doors must be shut policy’ at a certain hour to further contain the noise so people can sleep. A balance needs to be found to please both sides”
Jackie Manley: “This is a strip where there are clubs and certain times will be very busy. There are not a lot of residents in the beginning of the Gap; more at the Dover end. I think you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time and this is a classic case. Maybe they have to work together on this to get it sorted”.
Ajnos E Mahtneb: St Lawrence Gap [is a] top tourist attraction. If you live there and don’t like the activity/noise why not relocate. Of course, the Government and businesses in the area should help foot the bill”.
Margaret Holder: “For years now it was a known fact that if you live anywhere near or around a night club or dance hall that noise would be expected until the cocks crow the next morning, so I don’t see what’s the big deal here. And if the tourists are the ones complaining, then I suggest they stay someplace else. I would hate to see Barbados become like some parts of North America where night life comes to a halt at 1 a.m.”
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