A dispute has emerged over the planned relocation of Marie Fish Shack from its longstanding location at Reduit Beach, Gros Islet, with the business owner and her family raising concerns about fairness, communication, and compensation after nearly five decades of operation.
The issue has drawn a response from Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire.
Speaking on the sidelines of the March 25th Budget Estimates debate, Dr Hilaire defended efforts to modernize beach facilities and improve visitor amenities.
“When you hear people argue and defend that Marie should not be moved, can you imagine you have a facility that has no toilets, no running water, and yet people are saying it should stay as is,” Hilaire said. “How can we encourage in 2026 to have a facility where somebody comes to the beach for the day, they need to go to a restroom, and you have to tell your guests go in the bush. It just cannot continue that way.”
He added that the government is prioritizing upgrades across public beaches.
“We are trying to put on every beach toilet facilities because we cannot have Saint Lucians come and spend a day on the beach and having to go into the bush anymore,” the minister stated.
However, proprietor Anne Marie Farrell has rejected the characterization of her establishment, insisting that she had made provisions for sanitation and water.
“I know deep down in my heart I had water and I was renting a portable toilet,” Farrell said. “I find Mr. Hilaire was disrespectful. Before he could have said that he could have taken my opinion and found out if I had a portable toilet.”
She further explained the efforts she made to maintain services.
“As a matter of fact, I used to pay 120 or 140 dollars every day to make sure I did not run out of water,” she added.
Farrell also raised concerns about the terms being proposed for relocation.
“He said to me I have to pay 1,500 dollars for rent, but there are people offering 2,000 dollars for their place,” she said. “What I am thinking is if I was told and I had an offer that he was going to build something for me free of charge.”
Her nephew, Anthony Jordan, criticized what he described as a lack of transparency and formal agreement in the process.
“We have no written agreements, no meeting to say this is the agreement, these are the terms and conditions, and we are going to sign it,” Jordan said. “Nothing, just a cheque being prepared in a certain amount and that is all the communication we have.”
He also expressed concern about the urgency surrounding the relocation.
“The only thing they wanted to know was when she can move so the place can be destroyed,” he stated. “There is no proper communication from either the NCA or Invest Saint Lucia on the matter.”
The situation has sparked wider debate about balancing development with the livelihoods of long-standing small business operators, as authorities push to upgrade tourism infrastructure while affected stakeholders call for clearer agreements and equitable treatment.