Bad weather rains on concert parade - Gov’t calls off International Reggae Day concert

While breathing a sigh of relief that the entertainment sector will be reopened this Thursday, there is not much anticipation from at least one small business operator in Port Royal.

Demar Laing, operator of Ocean's Apart, a bar in the historic town, is not convinced that the reopening of the entertainment sector and the possible hosting of events in the area would mean more business for him.

"The only person who really benefits from a party or big event is the jerk pan man because they are perched outside the venue. I remember the last time there was a gathering at (Fort) Rocky, the police close it down and they came on the beach, and is so mi get a little strength," Laing said.

Port Royal was scheduled to host an International Reggae Day concert on Thursday to coincide with the reopening of the sector. However, the Government, which was spearheading the event, pulled the plug yesterday claiming that the potential for adverse weather forced the decision.

More police than tourists

The event was scheduled to take place at the Port Royal Cruise Terminal, which was built shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2020, the town welcomed Marella Discovery 2, a cruise ship which was the first in about 40 years to dock there.

"The first ship never bad, but in reality we see more police than tourists, but at least the little tourists that come did go on the beach and we make a little cash. The other two ships dem, as dem reach, the tour guide direct them to Port Charles, and then a tour bus and dem gone other places," Laing said.

Yesterday's announcement that the International Reggae Day concert had been cancelled was not the sort of news some business operators in Port Royal were expecting. Reginae Billings, manager of Ye Old Parade Sports Bar, said the reopening of the entertainment sector is good for business.

"Like any other business, bars feel the pinch too when the sector was closed down. Over the past two months, it has been picking up and we are happy for that," she said, adding that the pandemic has forced many persons to rethink their approach to business in order to remain viable.

"We will be doing things to keep our old, and to attract new customers. The concert wouldn't really benefit us because it would be a little distance away, but I'm happy the place a reopen" Billings said.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, during a statement to the House of Representatives on June 22, named Fort Rocky and Fort Charles, two venues in Port Royal that he said the Government is prepared to offer to persons to hold events.

A stall operator, who gave her name as Judith, said she is super happy about the reopening of the entertainment sector.

"Mi glad di place a open back and party can now keep so people can start see back dem way out," she said.