A senior official with the Suarez Brothers Circus has described the abrupt Government ordered shutdown of their Botanical Gardens operation as a confusing and financially devastating blow, insisting they had solved the water issues officials cited for the closure.
Speaking with the Weekend Nation yesterday, circus management, who asked not to be identified, revealed they are currently in limbo waiting for Government confirmation to relocate to a new venue after being forced to close their doors just one day after opening. He confirmed that they were informed about the possibility of utilising the Garrison race track grounds, but said they had not received anything in writing as yet.
The closure has left a contingent of more than 50 international staff, as well as several local hires, stranded and the company facing massive losses. Management estimates the financial toll is staggering, noting that Barbados is “one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean”.
“For bringing the equipment, to pay customs, to pay the port, the work permit, the logistics for transport, all the equipment here, where the people are living, I mean, apartments, hotels, buy tickets . . . we have a very big investment in Barbados,” the official said.
“I don’t calculate it yet and I don’t want to do it now, really,” he said.
The Government said the event was shut down last Sunday because of a lack of water on the Belle, St Michael site. However, circus management strongly disputed this, stating they had proactively arranged water tanks, hired a private water truck and made an agreement with a neighbour to supply water. (MB)
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