Is Pier One a Restaurant or a Bar? Mayor Bradley Offers His Definition

Mayor Darrell Bradley has been lauded for the renovation and reformation of the B.T.L. Park, but criticized in some quarters for the Pier 1 Bar, a privately owned business on a pier built with public monies, in a building constructed with public monies. To make matters worse, regular bar patrons have reported that the establishment now charges an entrance fee. That’s raised some eyebrows, since we repeat that the pier and facilities were built with taxpayer dollars. Today News Five caught up with the Mayor and asked him about the allegation, and also tried to get him to concede that it is a bar, since he has previously refused to do so.

Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor

“I wouldn’t concede that it is a bar for the simple reason that you can buy food there, and I don’t go there…like I go there if I’m in the park in the evenings like on Thursday or Friday, but you can purchase food there so I wouldn’t concede that. I will though say that the larger issue is the overall quality of the experience at the park, and I am satisfied that the clientele, the ambiance and the atmosphere that the Pier 1 Bar generates contributes to the visitor experience there. We monitor the park very closely to ensure that it is a success, and I am satisfied that what is there at the pier together with all the other booths contribute…we did a lot of work in terms of selecting vendors, ensuring that there is a lot of diversity. I think that the facility there really adds to the visitor experience there so that I am satisfied.”

Reporter

Darrell Bradley

“There’s a criticism because the owners of the bar, whoever they are, are charging people to go on the pier. The criticism is that the bar was built by public funds so it is arguable a public pier.”

Darrell Bradley

“Well I would dispute that. I will concede Mike that I don’t have information about what you ask. I know though that there are private activities that are held at that facility and they charge for those events. I know that on several occasions when the City Council has meetings and we have Caribbean or North American municipalities visiting us we’ve had functions there, so we’ve actually closed down the pier and used it. I know that they use it for private functions…I know that there have been several parties there. I know that DJs use it and they actually charge people for entering. I don’t think that they charge if it’s just the people that own the facility operating on a normal night.”

According to Mayor Bradley, although it is a public space on some occasions there are private activities so there will be a charge.