* Miller: Mario's losing $150k per month
* Staff 'catch eternal hell' as lights cut off
* Galleria chief: Re-open 'right around corner'
By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
An ex-Cabinet minister says his family's business "doesn't know where the next dollar is coming from" as losses hit $150,000 per month due to COVID-19's devastating impact on the entertainment sector.
Leslie Miller, the former Tall Pines MP, told Tribune Business that Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace was having to run its air conditioning (AC) systems constantly to prevent damage to its bowling lanes despite having "zero" income and customers amid the ongoing wait for government permission to re-open.
Despite facing "dire straits", he pledged that the company will survive "as long as we have to" until it and others in the industry obtains the necessary go-ahead from the Prime Minister's Office - acting as the Competent Authority - to resume business.
Acknowledging that the Government could not be blamed for COVID-19 and its impact, Mr Miller argued that "it doesn't make sense to go out there crying and weeping" over Mario's predicament because "no one is immune" and all Bahamas-based businesses are "in the same boat".
However, he revealed that some of Mario's 52 furloughed staff were now "catching eternal hell" after Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) cut off their electricity supply for non-payment, describing this as "a really terrible situation".
With the Tonique Williams Highway venue having been closed for almost eight months under the Government's Emergency Powers Orders, Mr Miller told this newspaper: "We are in dire straits. We really don't know where the next dollar is coming from because we've found ourselves closed for so long.
"We're still running the AC for the bowling lanes. We have to. They need to be set up at a certain temperature, otherwise we could damage them. We're losing about $150,000 a month. We still have expenses but no income; none whatsoever now, zero.
"The hardest thing is our staff are now catching eternal hell. What was unfortunate last week was BPL turned off their lights. It's a really terrible situation. The minister [Desmond Bannister] indicated BPL will stop disconnections, but it seems they didn't pay him much attention. They're staff with families, and Bahamians are now only getting $100 a week in unemployment benefits."
COVID-19 has been especially brutal for the hospitality and entertainment industry. Destinations such as Mario's Bowling, as well as movie venues such as Galleria Cinemas and Fusion Superplex, have been shuttered since the pandemic first hit The Bahamas amid fears that the large crowds they attract will result in 'super-spreader' events that aid the virus' transmission.
Bars and nightclubs, too, especially those with indoor premises, face the same predicament along with newly-closed gyms and spas with no certainty on when they will be permitted to re-open by the Government.
Mr Miller, though, told Tribune Business he was baffled by the decision to allow hotels to re-open indoor dining yet "a facility with a lot of space" - such as Mario's Bowling with its 80,000 square feet was to remain shuttered.
Pointing out that Mario's could shut down "one side", or between 20-30 lanes, to enable social distancing with a restricted number of patrons, the former MP and Cabinet minister blasted: "It's very difficult to comprehend why they have allowed the hotels to have indoor dining but a facility like ours can't open. I find it a little stressful."
He added that Mario's had opened for two days in late September after learning that Carmichael Road-based Skate City had done likewise, but shut down again after learning no blanket approval had been given to entertainment businesses, saying: "We want to subscribe to the rules like everyone else."
Mr Miller was more conciliatory towards the Government's overall handling of the pandemic, saying: "We can't blame the Government because it's not the Government's fault for what is going on. Nobody knows what the road looks like going into next year.
"We're in a very terrible state. Everybody's in the same boat, and thank God for his blessings that we're still alive because many of our Bahamian brothers and sisters are dying from COVID-19. Instead of criticising the Government, try and provide some assistance. We don't know if any of us could do any better.
"We are locked down but everyone is locked down. Every Bahamian entity is in this game together, and we can't bicker and bitch. We have to save lives. Whatever comes our way we have to deal with it as best we can in the circumstances on a daily basis. Hopefully we can get to the end of the tunnel, see the light and come through."
Mr Miller argued that the increased costs associated with the Government's recent $600m foreign currency borrowing made it vital that all "pitch in and do our best on behalf of the Bahamian people". He reiterated: "It doesn't make sense to go out there crying and weeping because everyone is facing the same situation. No one is immune."
Meanwhile Chris Mortimer, Galleria Cinemas' principal, yesterday voiced optimism that the re-opening of his Mall at Marathon cinema and other entertainment businesses could be "right around the corner" as long as Bahamians all played their part in reducing COVID-19's spread and bringing numbers down.
Acknowledging that there will be no new movie releases before year-end 2020, Mr Mortimer praised the Government's efforts to contain COVID-19 and pledged that Galleria will be "ready to re-open" whenever the public health authorities deem it safe to do so.
He acknowledged, though, that Galleria - in company with cinemas and movie theatres worldwide - will only re-open with 30 percent seating capacity. "My take on it is that it's better to be safe than sorry," Mr Mortimer told Tribune Business. "I don't have anything negative to say about the Competent Authority.
"We're no different from any other business. If people are getting sick that's going to impact us as well. At this point in time the Government did what was right for the interests of the country, and hopefully people will get to the point where we have jobs again. If they don't have jobs, people have no money to come to the movies.
"I tend to put a positive spin on it. I understand what it is they're doing. We're preparing ourselves, and we'll be ready. Whenever the Competent Authority and the health authorities determine it's right to reopen will be ready. We have to get past this," he added.
"I don't think it's going to be long-term before we re-open for entertainment businesses. I think it's right around the corner as long as we continue to do the things we're required to do - wear a mask, social distancing, hand washing and sanitising."
Urging all Bahamians and businesses to take responsibility for halting COVID-19's spread, Mr Mortimer said he expected 25-30 percent movie theatre seating capacity to remain as a limit until a vaccine or effective medicines were widely available.
Comments
realitycheck242 4 years, 1 month ago
When you build your house with the sand of corruption, Surly it will fall down with Gods timing. He never sleeps.
benniesun 4 years, 1 month ago
He (an aged experienced politician) is really good at dissembling; hopefully his double talk and brown nosing 'da govmin dem' only give them a good laugh. That would be well deserved and fitting karma. What truly boggles me is that we are only at the beginning stages of our economic crisis and people's normalcy bias is so strong that they seem to think our situation is going to be magically eased soon. America is about to turn into something unrecognizable with strict travel restrictions - and only the Supreme Being knows when that will end.
ohdrap4 4 years, 1 month ago
There is a woman flying downtroden pot cakes to canada.
You can ask for asylum.
Clamshell 4 years, 1 month ago
I often toss and turn at night, losing sleep over Leslie Miller’s plight.
tetelestai 4 years, 1 month ago
Idiot, Lesley Miller is eating caviar and drinking steak. He will be just fine. His employees, however, many of whom have to live off 100 per week are - as Lesley says- catching hell. So show so sympathy for them you bottom feeding, assinine miscresat. No one cares about your dislike for Lesley.
tribanon 4 years, 1 month ago
You must think we care about your great dislike of our great dislike of Woman Slapper Miller. LOL
Clamshell 4 years, 1 month ago
Uh ... tetelstai ... you might wanna Google the word “satire” ... and while you’re at it, look up the proper spelling of “asinine” and “miscreant.” And the correct spelling of “Leslie” Miller’s name. Your D- is showing ... 🤣
TalRussell 4 years, 1 month ago
The two complexes man's has left PopoulacesOndinary at large POAL, all puzzled as to how possible trick your brain into falling asleep whilst pretending to block out the thousands suffering and miseries shattered lives cases being reported hourly from across the Colony's 1200 Out islands, Cays, and rocks. Shakehead once for Yeah the complexes can now legally reopen if to provide entertainment and fun tourists only, Twice for Not?
tribanon 4 years, 1 month ago
Perhaps if Miller and his family made it a habit to pay the full amount of their own electricity bills when due, Mario's furloughed staff might not have had their electricity supply disconnected for non-payment.
tetelestai 4 years, 1 month ago
Assinine comment. So because Lesley didnt pay his bill, they will cut iff Lesley's staff for spite? Idiotic simpleton. Can you not see the forest from the trees? Well, as you once held political aspirations, you are as clueless as the real politicians you traduce so much. Let me help you, thus is about his staff, not Lesley, who is eating, drinking and living quite well. Show some empathy for the staff. But then again, as you are also a sleazy politician wanna be, you probably dont have it in your sorry little body.
tribanon 4 years, 1 month ago
True to form, you've totally missed my point. Or perhaps you're just another one like Woman Slapper Miller who has the financial means but never fully pays his light bills when they are due. LOL
avidreader 4 years, 1 month ago
Is it only me or do I detect a distinct lack of sympathy for the plight of our old friend Mr. Miller?
Clamshell 4 years, 1 month ago
... what was your first clue? 🤣😎
KapunkleUp 4 years, 1 month ago
I'm trying very hard to squeeze out a tear..... nope, can't do it.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 1 month ago
The thing is Leslie Miller may be an unsympathetic figure but I wouldn't rejoice at his plight... he's 6 degrees away from the entire country falling. And only very little of us will survive that. The ones that do survive will then have to deal with 100,000 starving people, some with guns, clamouring at the gate. If you have any doubt ask Abaco about the days after Dorian then multiply that 1000 fold.
benniesun 4 years, 1 month ago
Miller was in position to make our lives better, but he chose to contribute to the situation the country finds itself in - karma is real. I have sounded the alarm for months that we are already failed and going down. If failure was a disease, then the Bahamas has it but the symptoms are not fully evident. We have fallen and no one is coming to save us. The officials and elites have their heads in the sand and are delusional.
TalRussell 4 years, 1 month ago
My Comrade BennieSun, I must step forward spoken to the truth. Contrary em's wielding some kind your imaginary political influence, wasn't it the rebel-rousing Potcake Leslie, the one that was politely tolerated by being kept at within insight of an enemy's distance away from prime minister Perry Gladstone?
benniesun 4 years, 1 month ago
@TalRussell - I take it that english is not your first language. Can you refer me to a dictionary to translate your pidgin. The potcake was one of the good ol' boys and obeyed them - I do not write from hearsay; he was an enforcer and thoroughly enjoyed it.
TalRussell 4 years, 1 month ago
Expect a thumbs up from the Potcake for you're havin' so elevated his influence during previous governing administration.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 1 month ago
he may have been an enforcer but wgat Tal says is true. Near the end he became, or it became more evident he was, a live grenade in their midst. They clearly decided he was more dangerous out of the fold than in it.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 1 month ago
true I marvel at the amount if men in suits now talking about "skills training" and "digitization". Wasnt it just yesterday when the head of the designed for mythical foreigners only tech hub said itll take 8 years to train bahamians and we cant wait for grass to grow. Too busy selling off the country.
Porcupine 4 years, 1 month ago
Yup.
Godson 4 years, 1 month ago
Niggerman even ain say "my family don't know where the next meal is coming from"; he said "my family don't know where the next DOLLAR is coming from".
Isn't that the typical Bahamian career politician?
tribanon 4 years, 1 month ago
A very astute observation..
mandela 4 years, 1 month ago
In all fairness, in order for his staff to eat, he has to find the next dollar.
jackbnimble 4 years, 1 month ago
I have a hard time feeling sorry for him. I feel sorry for his staff. All that money borrowed and never paid back and ready to go back to try get some more. He’s a seasoned politician alright.
pileit 4 years, 1 month ago
Bank of the Bahamas bankrolled his faltering business attempts without proper qualification, while he lived off the fat of MP largesse.... Handle your sht, and pay the dmn loan back while you at it, cuz right now my taxes paying it.... flickin potcake fa real.
Porcupine 4 years, 1 month ago
Mr. Miller is the last person in The Bahamas whom the Tribune should interview, while considering itself a respectable news outlet.
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