The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

While grateful for the increased operating hours created by a shorter curfew, Bahamian businesses say other obstacles must be overcome before they and the economy can see a turnaround.

Vasco Bastian, owner/operator of Esso’s East Street South and Soldier Road location, told Tribune Business that the first act by newly-elected prime minister Philip Davis QC - pushing the nightly curfew’s start back to 11.59pm from 9pm - does not necessarily mean people will come to his station and spend more money on fuel.

He argued: “The curfew being eased is not going to have a huge difference. Most people are still only putting in the minimum amount of gas they can afford, so extended hours doesn’t mean we will have more revenue.

“My light bill has gone up now, my salary has also gone up because now I have to pay people for an extra couple of hours. My margins haven’t increased, my revenue hasn’t increased.”

Mr Davis has increased the hours during which many Bahamian businesses, including food stores, fast-food and other restaurants, and the likes of gas stations can operate at night. The latter used to be 24/7 operations, although they now have recovered all but seven hours of that period.

Mr Bastian, though, said an improvement in the wider economy is required before business owners such as himself will feel at ease. “We are going to keep the same level of staff and, in fact, we may even reduce the amount of hours because we have to balance this thing properly. This has to make sense. The economy is still shrinking; we were just downgraded by Moody’s on Friday,” he added.

“I wish this new government all the best. I want Brave Davis to do well for this country and the economy because if Brave Davis does well, we all will do well.”

Jacques Carlino, owner/operator of the Blue Sail Bar & Grill, said that while he was happy to have extended hours of operation, he is also cautious due to the continuing high number of COVID-19 cases.

He added: “I’m also concerned with the way this country is struggling right now with COVID-19. As a business owner I am excited to be able to operate longer hours, but I’m also worried that we are doing it too soon.”

Despite being under a 9pm curfew for the past several months, Mr Carlino said he has been able to return 30 of his staff. He added: “I will be honest with you, when the curfew moved back to 9pm I had lost 60 percent of my business. I was able to reemploy a lot of people, so I decided to keep everybody on and just reduce the hours.

“So now we’re going to put back hours to the staff and hope that business is going to start, because no tourist will come to the restaurant when we had to close early.”

Explaining that he had to stop taking orders at 7pm, Mr Carlino said: “We are happy for the change, it is very much welcome. We are excited for the change. I have to see how everything is going to line up, but I’m very positive that we’re going to start working, so let’s see where we go.”