Local business opposes controversial decision to ban minors from TPP
Tenants of TPP were notified of the controversial decision in a letter dated December 15, 2017 from Chief Executive Officer of TPP, Dona L. Regis.
This follows on the heels of Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) recently stating that students of Elmore Stoutt High School have been "wreaking havoc" in Road Town and that Government was looking to end the shift system as a means of adressing the problem.
Parental Guidance Required
According to the letter to TPP tenants obtained by this news room, TPP has been faced with "disruptive minors at Tortola Pier Park (TPP). In this regard we have proposed a Parental Guidance Required program (PRG) at TPP in an effort to improve safety and security at the facility. The PGR program is routine within the mall/shopping centre environmentalists as a proactive measure to ensure safety and comfort of all patrons. At TPP this program is aimed at providing a comfortable, family-friendly shopping experience for all guests which is in keeping with the Berthing Agreements."
It said effectively immediately, the PGR programme will require that, all patrons age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult who is at least 21 years old.
It also said that over the next few weeks the TPP management will embark on a public relations campaign to advise the community accordingly and will also place signage at the facility.
Local business oppose ban
But the ban imposed by TPP is not sitting well with some business, especially those whose customers include a large number of teenagers.
It has especially left a bitter taste in the mouth of Sweet Tease- Virgin Islands Bubble Tea, whose owner Kareem-Nelson Hull has gone public with his disagreement over the ban.
"As a business owner in the Tortola Pier Park I am completely against the decision to ban all teenagers from freely entering the Pier Park unless accompanied by a 21 year old Adult," Mr Nelson-Hull wrote on the BVI Community Board's Facebook page and confirmed to this news site.
According to the young business owner, "Peter should not pay for Paul. How dare TPP decide to ban the very demographic that supports Sweet Tease, Swirlzzz, Crocs, URBAN VI, Body Glam, Envy and JBY? And still expect rent to be paid? Our teenage customers have been well behaved, they’ve become our friends and we enjoy serving many of them at Sweet Tease."
Mr Hull further said the TPP directors "are out of line" to impose the ban and doing so "with no consultation and agreement from its tenants, but rather a letter telling us it will be implemented."
The young Virgin Islander also wanted to know who is the TPP to extend the legal age of an adult to require that teens are not only accompanied by an adult, but that adult has to be 21 years of age.
"The facility was built for every self respecting and well behaved Virgin Islands resident and visitor, so it is the behavioral offenders that must be policed and banned, not all."
He termed the move by TPP "a discriminatory move against local young people" as an unaccompanied tourist teenager will be allowed to enter from ship or land without supervision.
"I am against it. I will not support it. And if you are young and have green money and can behave SWEET TEASE will be open to serve you!"
Many persons on social media have also been condemning the ban on minors, calling it discriminatory, unfair, illegal and misguided.
"The travesty is the lack of consultation or proper consultation with stakeholders prior to making a decision. Sadly this is becoming the norm in this Territory," one person commented.
Meanwhile, up to the time of publication, Leasing and Marketing Manager at TPP, Meslyn M. Allan did not respond to our queries on the ban.
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27 Responses to “Local business opposes controversial decision to ban minors from TPP”
look how a women from St. L@#$$ come here and knocking about locals and now telling them where to go!
But I blame funny man too, he made a mess of the education system, as Mitch said, the chicken coming home to roost
if it is outside of school hours i can understand the cincern if the business community.