BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts and Nevis government has given three businesses no later than midnight on Tuesday, April 7, this year to relocate their businesses warning that the area they occupy forms part of lands required for a major tourism development project.
South Friar’s Bay (File Photo)The government gave no details of the pending “major tourism development project”, but said that the businesses are located at South Friar’s Bay, one of the two bays that stretch along the coast of the isthmus and that the notice comes more than four months of engagement and accommodation by the government after these businesses were formally notified on November 10, 2025.
In addition, the government said that the businesses could not lawfully continue on Crown land or private property without permission.
“Since that time, the Government has worked in good faith to facilitate relocation by identifying alternative sites where the operators could continue their businesses legally.
“These included options along the Frigate Bay Strip and at Cockleshell Bay, and the Government made arrangements for meetings and site visits to assist the operators in transitioning their businesses.”
But it said that despite these efforts those businesses have not taken steps to inspect the proposed sites or finalize relocation arrangements.
“Importantly, the Government allowed the operators to continue operating through substantially the entire peak 2025/2026 tourism season in order to minimize disruption to their livelihoods and to provide ample time to make preparations for relocation. The relocation deadline now arises because the property owners are preparing to commence earthworks associated with the development of the area. “
The government statement said that as part of the first phase of works, the developers will construct a permanent public access road to South Friar’s Bay Beach, which will improve access for residents and visitors.
It said construction of this road will begin in the coming days, and that access will be closed on April 8, 2026.
“Accordingly, the Government has advised the operators that if the establishments remain in place after the April 7 deadline, they will have to be removed so that lawful construction works may proceed.”
The statement said that throughout this matter, the St. Kitts and Nevis government “has acted with fairness, patience, and respect for local enterprise, even though these operations were being conducted without legal authorization on Crown land and private property.
“In the broader public interest, the Government remains committed to ensuring that local businesses and major investments coexist in a way that benefits the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, while preserving public access to beaches and supporting the orderly development of the Federation’s tourism sector,” the statement added.
