A BEACH BAR has taken over a significant section of the popular Batts Rock, but its French owner is denying it is barring Barbadians from the beach.
Jules “Papa Jules” Gualdoni is dismissing a WhatsApp message which was being circulated over the weekend, indicating that a foreign entity had been given a licence to operate at Batts Rock, St Michael, and that it had “effectively taken over the Bajan people’s beach”.
La Cabane, which was opened four months ago, features a bar and cooking area while several tables, chairs and benches occupy the beachfront under white umbrellas.
Gualdoni said he was given permission to operate by the National Conservation Commission (NCC).
He maintained he was not seeking to privatise the beach, pointing out that the bar was open to both locals and tourists, and there was no restriction of access through the area, located next to the lifeguard station.
“It’s a beach; we are just renting the space. People can walk through,” Gualdoni told the DAILY NATION yesterday. (MB)
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