The Tribune

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will today launch of a new flagship store in Deadman’s Cay, Long Island.

The store, previously a cashier and bill-pay station, will now offer a wide product range and full slate of services and customer help options.

Since 2012, with the launch of its first flagship full-service store at the Marathon Mall in Nassau, BTC has systematically converted its original bill-pay stations into full retail experiences.

Long Island joins New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma as the latest island in BTC’s push to increase the company’s footprint and improve services offered customers.

The company said the launch will be the first in a renewed focus on Family Island customers, as it also rolls out stores in Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and Bimini.

BTC’s retail lead, Bob Gill, said the effort represents a modernisation of the telecommunications sector in the Bahamas, and an effort by BTC to be accessible to all its customers, particularly Family Island clients.

“By the end of November, Bahamians will have 34 BTC access points to BTC products and services, including the flagship stores and the independently-owned franchises,” said Mr Gill.

“We are dedicated to reaching out to our customers, expressly in the Family Islands. BTC’s investment to completely transform bill-pay centres across the country into open retail environments demonstrates this. All the new stores have fully interactive frontline mobile devices, a dedicated broadband area, and a private consultation room.

“We want to make doing business with BTC an enjoyable, exciting customer experience. Ultimately, we think Long Islanders will be pleased with the new store.”

Though the Long Island flagship store is the latest in a series, BTC spokesperson, Jerome Sawyer, says it will still be unique to the island.

“Though all of the new stores are similar in their sleek modern design, we strive to bring a unique touch to each one by commissioning a full-size wall mural by local artists,” he said.

“For this latest store we chose Long Island-based artists, Alfred and Genele Williams. They created a colourful mural inspired by life on their island, which will be unveiled on Monday when the store is officially opened by our chief executive, Leon Williams.”