MITCHELL SPEAKS UP FOR PORT LUCAYA VENDORS

The following statement was issued by the Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party Fred Mitchell on the deteriorating economic opportunities in the Port Lucaya Marketplace in Freeport, Lucaya:

For Immediate Release 

7 October 2026

The Progressive Liberal Party is aware of the recent closure of businesses and the decline of tourist traffic at the Port Lucaya Market Place in Grand Bahama. 

The impacted staff members have been  directed to the Department of Labour, NIB, and all other relevant government agencies to ensure their entitled compensation, benefits, and general support. 

Over the years, the  Government has taken numerous steps to support the vendors in the Market Place; inclusive of relief grants, vouchers, and providing entertainment to a privately-owned facility to enhance traffic.

The present owners of Port Lucaya Market Place committed to a strong and effective marketing and promotional campaign to generate more business for vendors, but that has yet to be realized. 

We urge Carnival and other cruise lines to work in collaboration with Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the Market Place benefits from the tourist traffic.

As the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Honourable Ginger Moxey, and by extensión, the Government of The Bahamas, works relentlessly to boost the Grand Bahama economy, we look forward to the ownership of the Port Lucaya Market Place delivering on their promise to establish an ongoing marketing campaign to draw sustainable traffic and business. 

-END-