FRANKlYN Parris, Founder of the Bajan Association of Rum Shops (BARS) has reaffirmed that the association will continue to train more bartenders, campaign for a more efficient liquor licensing system and also work on the proper categorization of rum shops.
He was speaking to The Barbados Advocate yesterday at Muhdinki’s Bar in Regency Cove Hotel, Hastings as the Bajan Association of Rum Shops (B.A.R.S. Inc.) is preparing to roll out the sixth series of their bartending courses. He emphasised, “Student numbers have increased; one of the things I’m working towards is ensuring that most of all the establishments across Barbados have trained and qualified bar staff, the reason for that is that it increases the level of service and the experience to the visitors.”
He continued, “If the service level is high this will lead to repeat visitors...it generates more sales for local products, a main focus is educating our students on our local rums and with that knowledge they can engage customers better and this should redound to increased sales for local rums and in turn generate more revenue for Barbados.”
Parris said that having the certification become internationally accredited is currently being worked on. “We are working on having our certification internationally accredited …there is no current job description for a mixologist, it is either a shop assistant or shop keeper, we are looking at having that added so there is a minimum wage an maximum wage for mixologist on the island. We don’t only want to educate them but that they are paid fairly.”
He identified, “We are working with the BPTA [Barbados Tourism Product Authority] on a definition for a rum shop. We find that shops are categorized a restaurant because they have seating …We are also working with Minister Donville Inniss, looking at changing the way the licensing structure is currently done and moving away from it expiring at end of year. We want to start doing it based on inception of the liquor license. Also instead of a yearly renewal, changing it to three years…Despite the challenges rum remains important to Barbados and it is important to improve the business environment for those involved in the industry…” (NB)
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