Weekend Report | The Freeport News | PDF Online Guide

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Home National Sports Business Lifestyles Religion Arts & Culture Pulse Spice Editorial letters Opinion Foodie Sportscope Real Talks Weekend Report PDF's Classifieds Contact About Us Archive Weather

Letters | Opinion | Editorial | Weekend Report
FOODIE SPORTS SCOPE REAL TALKS
'RICK' Hayward and Port Group reach agreement By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL ~ Freeport News Reporter ~ krystal@nasguard.com: Businessman Richard "Rick" Hayward exited a meeting late yesterday afternoon with Port Group Limited President Ian Rolle with favorable news that his three restaurants that had locks placed on them should reopen by week's end. Moments after leaving that meeting, Hayward met with his employees of The Pub, La Dolce Vita and East at Port Lucaya and informed them of the news, giving detailed information about what was discussed and decided upon. Hayward explained that he and his attorney David Thompson sat with Rolle and were able to come to an agreement that would be beneficial to all parties involved. He said he was able to put his business account into overdraft and write a check to landlord Bourbon Street Limited in the amount of nearly $35,000. It was agreed, he added, that he come up with another $15,000 by the end of next week, making the amount paid on his nearly quarter million dollar bill a total of $50,000. "I'm paying straight in now whatever was in the bank account... and then I've got to come up by the end of next week, make it up to $50,000 straight up, no escrow, nothing," he explained. Hayward said Rolle has agreed that both parties undergo a mediation process concerning his (Hayward's) questions over the increases in rent in the last five years. "I've requested and they've agreed that the... board of the Port Group Limited will actually appoint a mediator and from there I will be able to, with help, present my case and they will have their case, to get a fair rent, a say in what goes on in here, hopefully, so we can keep going as a viable business," he said. "I hope that we can move on (that) and that the mediator will work it out. If I'm proven wrong then I'll have to come up with all the money and say I'm sorry, which I'm happy to do, but I'm hoping that they will see reason." The businessman expressed his pleasure at the outcome of the meeting and thanked Rolle for his cooperation in the matter. "I have to thank Ian Rolle who has been batting for us and trying to turn around the negative effect in the Port Authority and to say how important it is to keep you employed," he told employees. Hayward said it will take some time to clean up the three restaurants and order fresh supplies, so he is unsure as to when exactly they will be opened to the public. "I'm just so thrilled that we can now open," he said. By 4 p.m. yesterday, The Freeport News learned that the locks placed on the doors of the three restaurants had been removed. One week ago, Hayward found himself locked out of those businesses for nonpayment of rent. He admitted that he had not paid his rent for eight months and is in arrears to the tune of $229,760. He claimed that over the last five years he has been forced to pay twice as much in rent and has long been questioning the landlord's justification to no avail. The Port Group Limited released a statement on the matter, saying that they have worked with all tenants and gave significant opportunities for payment plans to be arranged. It went on to say that management has worked with and assisted all tenants who have made arrangements with them, adding that while they believe in fair play and have displayed this by their actions, every tenant has been given the same opportunity. Friday, July 3, 2009