Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, envisions Lancaster as the next commercial hub on the island.
“There is Warrens, Welches and the next obvious spot will be Lancaster,” he said.
Addressing the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Mid-Year conference “FACTS”, he lauded all businesspersons who have already invested in the St. James real estate, such as Chefette, the largest restaurant chain on the island whose presence is already being felt with its newest location at Lancaster, expected to open this summer.
However, he made it clear that rumours circulating that his Ministry sold that land to Chefette are untrue.
“We did not sell one square foot of land at Lancaster to Chefette,” he told Party supporters gathered at Queen’s College, on Saturday.
“That land was exchanged for cost and was given to the contractor who did the work and the contractor sold it… What Chefette has been able to do is make a big head start at Lancaster and place a restaurant there and everybody knows that wherever Chefette goes, people like to be.”
The Housing Minister is therefore encouraging businesspersons to consider investing in the other seven remaining commercial spots at Lancaster.
Kellman believes that the location is ideal for a shopping complex.
“When one looks at the location of Lancaster, it is the perfect location for a business,” he pointed out.
“Build a mall because I can guarantee you that there are people looking for spaces in that general area. Now that Massy is only building a supermarket in Sunset Crest, those persons who previously had businesses in that Sunset Crest complex will now be looking for a location near, and the best spot will be Lancaster.
“So, all those persons complaining about the economy and so on, we in the Ministry of Housing are creating opportunities for you to better yourselves, and also for you to help us with the economy,” the Minister added. (TL)
