Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • Scouts appeal for more adult volunteers

    Scouts appeal for more adult volunteers

    Against a backdrop of waning volunteerism across the Caribbean island of Barbados, one of the nation’s most prominent youth development organizations is facing an unprecedented challenge: it is successfully attracting young people to its programs, but cannot find enough adult leaders to guide them. The Barbados Boy Scouts Association has publicly issued a call for up to 300 additional adult volunteers, with a particular focus on recruiting men to support older scout cohorts, according to the organization’s top leader.

    Chief Commissioner Trevor Jones outlined the group’s current predicament in an interview with local media outlet Barbados TODAY, explaining that after years of targeted outreach, the association achieved its goal of growing youth membership last year, and expects that upward trend to continue in 2024. The organization’s biggest barrier to expansion, however, has shifted from recruiting young participants to retaining and attracting adult leadership. Jones noted that the volunteer shortage is most acute in programs for older scouts, where male mentors are particularly needed to provide guidance for adolescent participants.

    Jones pointed to a broader cultural shift driving the leadership gap, explaining that the decline in volunteer spirit is not unique to scouting, but a widespread challenge across Barbados. “A lot of people tell us they are too busy to commit, and for many that is a genuine reality,” he said. “But beyond competing priorities, we’ve seen the overall culture of volunteerism decline. More people now expect compensation when they step forward to help, and this is fundamentally a volunteer role.” While the association is open to providing limited financial stipends to offset out-of-pocket costs for volunteers, Jones emphasized that individuals motivated primarily by pay are unlikely to bring the level of commitment that young people in the program need.

    Marsha-Ann Clarke, lead consultant for the association’s Learning Inclusiveness, Entrepreneurship and Environmental Protection (LIEEP) initiative, pushed back against the idea that volunteers need to make extensive, time-consuming commitments to contribute. Clarke noted that women already make up the majority of leadership for younger scout cohorts, including Beaver and Cub programs, but scouting rules require male leadership for older groups including standard Scouts and Venture Scouts. Even men who can only spare a few hours per month can make a meaningful difference, she argued.

    Clarke urged fathers of scout participants to move beyond waiting in the parking lot during activities and get directly involved. “You don’t need to commit to every weekend,” she said. “If you can give a few hours one Saturday a month, or even one Saturday every two months, that is more than enough. Men can help with simple, core tasks from organizing groups to assisting with hands-on projects.” Beyond logistical support, Clarke highlighted the long-term impact positive male role models can have on young participants: “Boys watch how men behave, how they interact with women and female leaders, and they learn so much just from having consistent, positive male presence in their scouting experience.”

    Dr. David Bynoe, national coordinator for the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme – which provides funding for some scouting activities – added his voice to the recruitment call, emphasizing scouting’s unique role in shaping the next generation of Barbadian leaders. “Scouting really moulds and develops young men, who will go on to become future leaders across this country,” Bynoe said. He also noted that conversations around gender equity must also address the specific challenges facing boys in Barbados, where many young men are falling behind socially and academically.

    Bynoe clarified that while the organization has a particular need for men, people of all genders are welcome to volunteer. “Even though it is the Boy Scouts, females are already the backbone of much of our work, especially behind the scenes in administration,” he said. “Whether you are male or female, we urge you to consider stepping forward to support this important work for Barbados’ young people.”

  • President urges pupils to overcome obstacles

    President urges pupils to overcome obstacles

    On a landmark visit to Selah Primary School in St. Lucy this Monday, President Jeffrey Bostic delivered an inspiring message of resilience and purpose to the school’s student body, encouraging young learners to view obstacles as stepping stones rather than barriers on their journey toward long-term goals. During his time on campus, President Bostic praised students for the confidence they demonstrated across academic, artistic, and extracurricular programs – from Spanish language learning and music performance to uniformed youth groups. Drawing a direct lesson from the students’ poise during the morning’s welcome activities, he noted, “There’s no challenge that you children cannot overcome. And when you face obstacles, you find a way around them, over them, but you maintain the path that you are on.” The President highlighted the determination of Head Girl Shazariah Springer and Head Boy Micah Depeiza, who adapted to practical challenges – including the need to stretch to reach the microphone – to welcome him and present ceremonial gifts, calling their quick thinking and confidence a powerful example for their peers.

    Tying his message to the school’s Biblical name, Selah – which carries multiple meanings including “to pause and reflect,” “to lift up,” and “to serve with humility” – President Bostic emphasized the power of intentional stillness. “Your power is not in your fists. Your power is not in your hands. Your power is not through your mouth. Your power is in your pause,” he said. “Pause shows power, not weakness. Pausing is strength before you do something that you will regret later.” He also challenged students to build one another up instead of tearing peers down, urging them to celebrate classmates’ successes and support their teachers. He reminded students that the character values they develop during their school years are permanent, irreplaceable assets that cannot be bought with money, earned through academic certifications, or granted by a university degree. “You need to serve in order to lead… Leaders are not those who stand tallest, but those who bow to lift up others,” he added.

    The visit came at a particularly meaningful moment, falling during Education Month and as Barbados marks 60 years of national independence. Principal Cheryl Marshall shared that the occasion offered the school community a chance to reflect on the nation’s progress while reaffirming its commitment to preparing young people to build the future of Barbados. “Our school is focused on helping students discover their talents, develop character and gain the confidence needed to contribute to society,” Marshall explained. Echoing President Bostic’s message of perseverance, she pointed to the school’s motto – “Self-discipline and Dedication Brings Success” – to reinforce that success grows from commitment, resilience, responsible decision-making, and a willingness to persist through difficulty.

    Selah Primary currently offers students a wide range of extracurricular opportunities beyond core academics, including STEM programming, reading initiatives, multiple sports, music, educational tours, and youth clubs. The school fields teams in athletics, cricket, football, netball, and table tennis, and hosts uniformed groups including Brownies, Blossoms, and Cubs, with a new Beavers program set to launch this year. Students also participate in the Inter-School Christian Fellowship and a school violin program, and the administration plans to resume its popular swimming programme this term. President Bostic specifically highlighted the school’s Spanish language presentation, encouraging students to continue building their foreign language skills through secondary school and beyond, noting that the ability will open new doors for them in the future. The morning’s activities included a violin performance of *Tip Toe Boo!* and a recitation of the poem *Barbados*, celebrating national culture and student artistic growth.

    During the visit, President Bostic also raised a key concern about underrepresentation of male role models in positive youth development programs, noting that a lack of visible positive leadership disproportionately impacts boys’ participation in constructive extracurricular and community activities. “Our boys cannot be what they cannot see,” he said. “Our boys are a reflection of what they are seeing in our men.” He called on more adult men to get involved in youth programs, from uniformed groups to sports and faith-based initiatives, explaining that confidence and leadership skills cannot be learned solely from textbooks – they are developed through hands-on, mentored engagement.

    Principal Marshall closed by noting that President Bostic’s visit reinforced the core mission of Selah Primary, saying, “Your presence here today sends a powerful message to our students that they matter, that their education matters, and that their dreams and aspirations matter.” Looking ahead, the school will launch the President’s Chapman Challenge this Friday, and continue expanding its extracurricular offerings throughout the term with the new Beavers program and the return of swimming.

  • BEC: Benefits, flexibility, career prospects also shape retention

    BEC: Benefits, flexibility, career prospects also shape retention

    As key industries across Barbados struggle to fill open positions, the island nation’s leading business organization is pressing the government to commission a comprehensive national vacancy survey to map the true scale of the country’s evolving labor crisis. Speaking this week, leaders of the Barbados Employers Confederation (BEC) warned that systemic gaps in labor market data are preventing policymakers and businesses from effectively addressing overlapping challenges: widespread skills mismatches, persistent worker retention issues, and critical shortages of qualified personnel across multiple high-demand sectors.

    BEC President Gail-Ann King emphasized that Barbados’ current labor shortage is a complex, multi-layered issue that demands coordinated intervention from the government, working alongside educational institutions, training providers, and the nation’s workforce. Rather than a blanket shortage of workers, King explained, the problem centers on a lack of workers with the right skills, available at the right time, for roles that offer sustainable, attractive terms for both employers and employees. While the challenge cuts across multiple economic sectors, it is not uniform in its impact, with some industries facing far greater pressure than others.

    King highlighted construction, hospitality, and retail as the sectors currently facing the most acute strain, with skilled and technical roles in construction seeing demand consistently outpace available supply. Hospitality businesses, too, report widespread difficulty filling positions from entry-level up to specialized skilled roles that require hands-on industry experience. Currently, there is no official, comprehensive national tally of open vacancies across Barbados, and the BEC has declined to speculate on an unofficial figure without robust data from across the country’s employer community. What is clear, King noted, is that businesses in construction and hospitality consistently report being unable to fill critical open roles, and a targeted national vacancy survey would provide the granular data needed to understand both the scale and specific nature of these labor market disruptions.

    King added that there is also no centralized, real-time system to track how long vacancies remain unfilled across industries, or to monitor how compensation levels vary by role, sector, and individual employer. She pointed to the upcoming Job Registry, scheduled to launch in 2025, as a promising step toward greater labor market transparency. Once participation in the new registry grows, it is expected to deliver more reliable data on job openings, hiring trends, and long-term vacancy patterns, giving employers, job seekers, and policymakers a clearer view of shifting labor market dynamics. While individual employers will retain control over compensation decisions, access to more comprehensive, up-to-date labor market data will allow all stakeholders to make more informed choices around workforce planning, training program development, recruitment strategy, and career planning.

    At its core, King argued, the labor crisis boils down to a misalignment between the skills being developed through education and training programs and the evolving needs of Barbados’ industries. Employers need workers with technical, practical, and professional capabilities to thrive in modern workplaces, while workers need access to training that reflects current industry demand. Closing this gap requires intentional collaboration between employers, training providers, educational institutions, and government policymakers to ensure training curricula remain responsive to shifting labor market needs. Stronger cross-sector partnerships will not only better prepare workers for available roles but also help businesses access the talent they need to grow and remain competitive.

    Addressing common public discussion around contributing factors, King noted that while pay is an important factor for job seekers, it is far from the only consideration. Feedback from current and prospective workers shows that candidates evaluate the full employment value proposition, which includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, work schedules, flexibility, workplace culture, career advancement opportunities, job security, and overall working conditions. As a result, forward-thinking employers are increasingly focused on building competitive, holistic compensation packages that appeal to candidates beyond base salary, with job seekers increasingly prioritizing roles that align with their personal and professional long-term goals. This dynamic is particularly critical for entry-level roles, which serve as key onramps to the Barbadian workforce. Entry-level positions become far more attractive when employers clearly communicate pathways for skills development, experience building, and long-term career growth, King explained, and businesses that can articulate the full value of their employment offering are far more successful at attracting and retaining top talent.

    King also noted a shifting trend in how employers evaluate candidates, with traditional qualifications remaining important but increasingly complemented by assessments of practical skills, relevant experience, problem-solving ability, and on-the-job readiness. Many Barbadian organizations are now placing greater weight on practical evaluations and competency-based assessments to move beyond checking academic credentials and better understand how candidates will actually apply their knowledge in the workplace.

    Finally, King pushed back against oversimplified narratives around work ethic among Barbadian workers, noting that the country already benefits from a capable, productive, and committed workforce. When challenges do arise, she argued, they stem from a broad mix of interconnected factors including skills availability, job readiness, retention, career aspirations, compensation, and working conditions – not a lack of work ethic. This is a shared challenge that requires collaboration across all sectors, King emphasized, and the ultimate goal should be to build a supportive labor market environment that drives productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable, accessible employment opportunities for all Barbadians.

  • Doctors’ Week opens with focus on changing healthcare

    Doctors’ Week opens with focus on changing healthcare

    The first ever Doctors’ Week in Barbados kicked off on Sunday, bringing together medical professionals and community leaders to celebrate the invaluable contributions of physicians across the island nation. At a commemorative gathering held at James Street Methodist Church, acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Arthur Phillips delivered a keynote address that framed the shifting landscape of modern healthcare while reaffirming the irreplaceable role of practicing doctors.

    Against a backdrop of rapid industry transformation driven by digital innovation, expanded public access to health data, and the growing integration of multidisciplinary care teams, Dr. Phillips emphasized that these changes are not meant to erode doctors’ central position in patient care. Instead, he argued, these evolving systems create space for physicians to refocus their work on what they do best: applying specialized clinical expertise, exercising critical professional judgment, leading complex care initiatives, and managing high-stakes clinical scenarios that demand nuanced, human-centered decision-making.

    “Healthcare will keep evolving, with technology, broader access to health information, and collaborative cross-provider teams reshaping how care reaches patients,” Dr. Phillips told attendees. “Some tasks that once fell exclusively to doctors may increasingly be handled by patients themselves or other trained members of the care ecosystem.”

    Organized by the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP), this year’s inaugural Doctors’ Week runs under the unifying theme “Celebrating Excellence. Compassion. Service.” The event spotlights the far-reaching, multifaceted impact that doctors have on every layer of Barbados’ public health system.

    Dr. Phillips walked attendees through the full scope of modern medical practice, noting that physicians’ responsibilities extend far beyond routine diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care. They lead emergency response efforts, coordinate interdisciplinary clinical teams, contribute to evidence-based health policy design and groundbreaking medical research, and serve as mentors shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. Beyond clinical work, he added, doctors fill a critical emotional role, offering reassurance and compassionate support to patients and their families during life’s most vulnerable moments.

    The outstanding commitment of Barbados’ doctors was thrown into sharpest relief during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Phillips said. At the height of the crisis, physicians and frontline healthcare workers operated under unprecedented pressure, adapting to constantly shifting public health guidance, stepping into entirely new job responsibilities, working grueling extended shifts, and making profound personal sacrifices to protect the health and safety of Barbadians across the country.

    “Even though the pandemic is no longer our immediate daily focus, we cannot forget the extraordinary dedication, adaptability, and resilience our doctors displayed throughout that dark period,” he stressed.

    Dr. Phillips also highlighted BAMP’s core institutional role as a representative body advocating for the interests and professional well-being of medical practitioners across Barbados, while serving as a leading voice on critical national healthcare policy issues. He noted that constructive collaborative dialogue between the Ministry of Health, BAMP, and the wider medical community is a foundational requirement for ongoing efforts to strengthen Barbados’ national health system.

    Addressing the future of the profession, Dr. Phillips noted that maintaining clinical excellence demands unwavering commitment to high professional standards and continuous lifelong learning, as new medical research, innovative treatments, and emerging technologies continue to transform care delivery. Even with these advances, he argued, technology can never replace the fundamental human connection at the heart of the doctor-patient relationship.

    “While digital tools and new technologies can vastly improve how we deliver care, they cannot replace the human bond between doctor and patient – one that is built on empathy, clear communication, and mutual respect,” Dr. Phillips said.

    He also placed particular emphasis on the importance of formal and informal mentorship within the medical community, noting that veteran practicing physicians carry a unique responsibility to support early-career colleagues, passing down decades of accumulated clinical knowledge, professional standards, core ethical values, and refined practical judgment that can only be gained through years of frontline practice.

    Dr. Phillips further called for sustained focus on quality improvement and professional accountability across Barbados’ health system, pointing to the critical oversight work carried out by the Medical Council, the Advisory and Inspection Committee, and existing national accreditation and quality assurance frameworks. He also reminded stakeholders that prioritizing the well-being of doctors and all frontline healthcare workers must remain a core component of any strategy to strengthen the national health system.

    “The demands of the medical profession are substantial, and ongoing attention to the physical, mental, and professional well-being of our physicians and their colleagues must always be part of the conversation when we talk about strengthening Barbados’ health system,” he said.

    Closing his address, Dr. Phillips extended gratitude to all of Barbados’ doctors for their consistent sacrifice, strong leadership, and unwavering professionalism. He also congratulated BAMP on launching the inaugural Doctors’ Week, noting that the annual event will create dedicated space for celebration, collective reflection, professional fellowship, and a renewed shared commitment to core values of the medical profession.

  • New gun court judge urges faster court tech, police files

    New gun court judge urges faster court tech, police files

    In a formal, tightly run swearing-in ceremony held at Barbados’ State House on Monday, Douglas Frederick took office as the first appointed judge of the country’s newly launched specialized gun court. The event was presided over by President Jeffrey Bostic, with Acting Chief Justice Margaret Reifer in attendance to mark the milestone of one of the first judicial appointments to the new institution. Frederick’s appointment follows his transition from a role as acting chief magistrate to the High Court, and comes as part of a broader judicial reform package aimed at tackling the country’s growing backlog of firearms-related cases.

    The creation of two dedicated gun courts, which are scheduled to be fully operational by January, was previously identified as a critical systemic adjustment by Chief Justice Leslie Haynes during his opening address for the 2024 law term last month. Haynes framed the specialized courts as a targeted solution to ease mounting pressure on the country’s overstretched broader judicial system by clearing the growing backlog of firearms-related matters.

    Fresh off taking his oath of office, Frederick immediately outlined his core priorities for reforming operational efficiency at the new court, arguing that modernizing court technology and digital infrastructure is no longer an optional upgrade for the Caribbean nation’s judiciary. “There is still some way to go in terms of technology and the use of technology that we have to implement in the courts to make it a bit more efficient,” Frederick noted, explaining that planned digital updates are designed to streamline case processing workflows and improve overall administrative function across the gun court.

    Beyond technological upgrades, Frederick carried forward a longstanding criticism he first raised during his tenure on the magistracy bench: persistent delays by police and prosecution teams in preparing and transferring complete case files to the courts. He emphasized that cross-agency coordination must improve to deliver timely case files, a issue he has flagged for years. While he acknowledged incremental progress has been made, he called for far more significant change, noting “you cannot work without the files and justice delayed is justice denied, so I want to see those files come in as quickly as possible.”

    Frederick’s push for enhanced efficiency comes as the Barbados judiciary adapts to a wave of new legislation and structural reforms designed to equip courts with stronger tools to address violent crime and case backlogs. Reflecting on his new role overseeing the specialized gun court, Frederick said his judicial approach will remain rooted in three core principles: accessibility for all parties, equal fairness under the law, and formal judicial decorum.

    “I will do my best to do justice and of course as you know from my previous work I have always been fair. I have always listened to people. I have always been polite but firm in my duties and that is what I will continue to do,” Frederick said. The new judge added that he feels deeply honored by the public and judicial confidence placed in him to lead the new court, stating “I’m extremely humbled by the confidence that has been reposed in me, and I will continue to be humble and continue to work as hard as I believe I’ve been working.”

    Taking up his post at a time of sweeping legislative and judicial renewal across Barbados, Frederick framed his appointment as a unique opportunity to strengthen the delivery of fair, timely justice for communities across the country.

  • Education ministry ‘rethinking’ tech in schools

    Education ministry ‘rethinking’ tech in schools

    As Caribbean nations work to reframe their 21st-century education frameworks, Barbados has emerged as an unexpected trailblazer, working to craft a context-specific approach that reconciles digital innovation with evidence-backed traditional learning practices. In a public address launching Education Month at the Abundant Life Assembly church service on Monday, Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman openly acknowledged a core, unresolved challenge plaguing education systems globally: the global education community has not yet struck a sustainable balance between increasing technology integration and time-honored learning methods like handwritten note-taking, textbook reading, and print-based study.

    Blackman rejected the binary framing that pits digital tools against traditional instruction, stressing that the government is not pushing to eliminate technology from classrooms entirely. Instead, his ministry is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to test context-appropriate guidelines for device use, after observing measurable negative cognitive impacts from unregulated screen exposure among local students. “We’re seeing a cognitive decrease in the ability of our students because of the overexposure to technology,” Blackman told the congregation.

    The minister emphasized that while modern students must develop proficiency in digital tools to succeed in the global workforce, unregulated early and frequent screen use has eroded key foundational skills. Citing cross-regional research from Asia, Europe, and Africa, he highlighted the well-documented cognitive benefits of handwritten work: neurocognitive studies have consistently shown that writing on paper activates unique regions of the brain that support memory retention and critical thinking, a benefit many local teachers have observed firsthand in their classrooms.

    This evidence-based approach comes as the ministry prioritizes improvements to national literacy and numeracy outcomes, a goal that has grown more urgent following regional conferences highlighting widespread declines in basic literacy skills across the Caribbean. Blackman specifically called attention to understudied harms of unregulated early childhood screen exposure, noting that many infants and toddlers in Barbados are regularly given tablets to occupy their time long before they enter formal schooling. This pattern, he argues, contributes to weaker literacy outcomes by the time children reach primary school, even as the ministry rolls out new digital tools to boost reading skills in primary grades.

    Global pediatric research backs up these concerns. Leading public health bodies including the American Academy of Paediatrics advise that children under 18 to 24 months should avoid all non-essential screen exposure, with the exception of live video calls with family members. For preschool-aged children between two and five, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends limiting high-quality, age-appropriate screen time to no more than one hour per day, and advises parents to avoid unmonitored solo use, fast-paced programming, and violent content, all of which can disrupt development, sleep, and social-emotional learning.

    Instead of adopting off-the-shelf digital education models from larger nations, Blackman says Barbados will lean on local data and global research to craft a unique framework that fits its student population. He noted that the international community is already watching closely, with hopes that Barbados’ balanced approach could serve as a replicable model for other small island nations and regions grappling with the same tension between digital innovation and foundational skill development. “We have to be bold enough to not just import practices because other countries are doing it,” Blackman said. “Barbados has long been a world leader in education, and our system has produced people confident enough to identify what works – and what doesn’t – based on evidence, not trend.

  • West Indies Women seal 2-0 lead against Zimbabwe

    West Indies Women seal 2-0 lead against Zimbabwe

    In a dominant T20 International display in Harare, a destructive innings from Eboni Brathwaite propelled the West Indies Women to an eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. After winning the toss, West Indies opted to field first, forcing Zimbabwe to open the batting. The hosts got off to a measured start, reaching 46 runs without losing a wicket by the ninth over. However, the momentum shifted when Kelis Ndhlovu, who had scored 25 runs, was trapped leg before wicket by West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher. Next to fall was Beloved Biza, who posted the hosts’ highest individual score of 35 runs from 23 deliveries before being dismissed by Jahzara Claxton. Claxton struck again on the fourth ball of the 13th over, sending Christine Mutasa back to the pavilion for a golden duck, triggering a dramatic collapse in Zimbabwe’s batting order. With no other batters able to forge substantial partnerships, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano’s 25 runs stood as the only other notable contribution before she was run out. When their 20 overs were completed, Zimbabwe had been restricted to 106 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Claxton finished as West Indies’ leading wicket-taker with impressive figures of three wickets for just 14 runs, while Fletcher claimed one wicket for 19 runs and captain Stafanie Taylor picked up one wicket for 12 runs. In pursuit of the modest 107-run target, Brathwaite made her attacking intentions clear from the very first ball, setting the tone for a rapid run chase. Although Claxton fell on the final ball of the third over, West Indies had already raced to 27 runs, with Brathwaite accounting for the bulk of those scores. By the time Brathwaite was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the mandatory powerplay, the visitors had reached 69 runs for the loss of two wickets, putting the match firmly within their grasp. The Barbadian batter’s whirlwind innings of 57 runs included three boundaries and six maximums, with a staggering strike rate of 247.82 that left Zimbabwe’s bowling attack reeling. Realeanna Grimmond chipped in with an unbeaten 23 runs from 16 deliveries to steer West Indies across the finish line, with the winning total of 108 for two reached in just 10.1 overs. For Zimbabwe, Kudzai Chigora and Christine Mutasa each claimed one wicket, but their efforts were not enough to stem the tide of West Indies’ victory. The third and final match of the series is scheduled to get underway in Harare this coming Wednesday. West Indies will be looking to complete a clean sweep of the series, while Zimbabwe will be desperate to claim a consolation win to boost team morale ahead of future fixtures.

  • Haymans Market: Barbados’ Largest Indoor Market Blends History, Local Business and Lifestyle

    Haymans Market: Barbados’ Largest Indoor Market Blends History, Local Business and Lifestyle

    Nestled in the rolling countryside of St. Peter, just a short drive from Barbados’ most popular coastal towns, Haymans Market has emerged as far more than the island’s largest indoor retail space—it has evolved into a self-contained, vibrant lifestyle hub that weaves centuries of Barbadian history into a modern, multi-faceted visitor experience.

    The market’s distinctive identity is rooted in its industrial past: the sprawling property off Highway 2A is built within the walls of the decommissioned Haymans Sugar Factory, a site with a legacy stretching back to 1649. That year, English planter Henry Haymans purchased a collection of smaller surrounding plantations to establish Haymans Plantation, launching a sugar operation that would operate on the site for more than 300 years. What began as a small wind-powered mill with open-air sugar boiling evolved over generations into a fully electrified modern factory, until sugar production ceased entirely in 1988. After sitting vacant for decades, the site was acquired by Sun Group Inc. in 2020, kicking off an ambitious restoration project that balances historic preservation with adaptive reuse. Today, a non-operational vintage sugar cane transport crane still hangs preserved above the market’s entrance, serving as a tangible reminder of the site’s origins.

    “The former Haymans Sugar Factory gave us an authentic identity and a meaningful connection to Barbados’ history. We had the opportunity to restore and reimagine the former Haymans Sugar Factory while retaining the character that makes the site distinctive,” explained Jacob Weatherhead, Haymans Market’s Operations Manager.

    The result of that restoration is a thriving hub home to more than 85 unique businesses, ranging from independent local traders and artisans to restaurants, wellness providers and service-based enterprises. One of the market’s biggest successes has been its role in nurturing homegrown Barbadian entrepreneurship: many early vendors who launched from compact 10-by-10-foot booths have now expanded into much larger retail spaces as their customer bases have grown.

    “We are particularly proud to see local entrepreneurs who began in small booths build loyal customer bases and move into larger spaces at Haymans. That growth is one of the clearest signs that the market is creating genuine opportunities for Barbadian businesses,” Weatherhead noted.

    Reflecting the market’s core values of diversity, enthusiasm and commitment to quality, vendor offerings span nearly every consumer interest. Shoppers can browse handcrafted Barbadian gifts, locally made souvenirs, artisanal fashion and handcrafted home goods, while regularly scheduled community events keep the visitor experience fresh. A monthly farmers’ market is set to transition to a weekly Sunday attraction, and the market also hosts quarterly pop-up and vintage markets that draw both locals and tourists.

    In recent years, the site has expanded far beyond retail and dining to become a leading regional wellness and recreation destination. It now houses a fully equipped gym, professional padel tennis courts, and dedicated studios for yoga, Pilates and Reiki. Visitors can refuel at an on-site juice bar serving cold-pressed fresh juices or a local bakery offering homemade pastries and baked goods. A dedicated on-site art gallery showcases work from Barbadian and Caribbean creators, cementing the market’s role as a hub for local cultural expression.

    Food remains one of Haymans’ biggest draws, with more than 25 food and beverage outlets catering to every taste. The full-service Haymans Social, led by Culinary Director Jeremy Dupire, serves lunch and dinner during the week, with added Saturday breakfast and all-day Sunday brunch offerings. Its professional catering kitchen supports the restaurant and the market’s large event spaces, which can host private and public gatherings for up to 1,500 attendees. For a more relaxed experience, The Cooling Deck Bar offers open-air seating beneath native bearded fig trees, with unobstructed views of Barbados’ scenic west coast.

    Following a soft opening in December 2023, Haymans Market was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley at a public ceremony on March 13, 2024. The path to success was not without hurdles, Weatherhead acknowledged: building awareness of the new destination and establishing consistent visitor foot traffic took months of targeted outreach and community engagement. “The journey has involved a great deal of learning. In the early days, our greatest challenge was establishing Haymans Market as a new destination and building consistent patterns of visitation. As the businesses became more established and people became familiar with everything Haymans had to offer, foot traffic grew steadily,” he said, noting that the market drew 250,000 visits in the past year alone.

    Now that Haymans is firmly established as a St. Peter landmark, leadership has laid out an ambitious long-term vision: to position the market as one of Barbados’ leading lifestyle and tourism destinations, a must-visit spot for both locals and international travelers. The site even offers a self-guided audio-visual tour that walks visitors through the market’s history and the broader story of sugar production in Barbados, turning a casual trip into an immersive cultural experience.

    Located just five minutes from Speightstown, 10 minutes from Holetown and 15 minutes from Warrens, Haymans Market balances convenient access with a secluded, escape-like atmosphere. “We see Haymans Market as the heart of a broader destination, bringing together shopping, dining, entertainment, wellness, professional services and community events within one historic setting,” Weatherhead said. “As we grow, we want to attract a strong mix of established and emerging Barbadian businesses, create new reasons for people—locals and visitors alike—to visit throughout the week, because there is always something happening, and continue restoring the former sugar factory and surrounding property in a way that respects its heritage.”

    What was once a working factory processing sugar cane from surrounding fields is now a space where visitors can eat, explore, exercise or unwind, blending hundreds of years of Barbadian history with 21st-century lifestyle experiences. Ultimately, the project aims to set a blueprint for adaptive reuse of the island’s historic industrial sites: “Ultimately, we want Haymans to support local entrepreneurship, contribute positively to St. Peter and demonstrate how Barbados’ historic properties can be successfully reimagined for the future,” Weatherhead added.

  • Flash-flood Warning in effect for Barbados

    Flash-flood Warning in effect for Barbados

    A tropical weather system has triggered a state of heightened risk across Barbados, pushing national meteorological authorities to issue an official Flash Flood Warning as torrential downpours sweep across the Caribbean island. As of the latest update from the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS), accumulations of 35 millimeters of rain have already been recorded in hard-hit northern areas, where the island’s already moisture-saturated soil has drastically amplified the threat of sudden, fast-moving flooding. The BMS confirmed in its revised weather bulletin that the active tropical wave driving the extreme precipitation has spawned concentrated bands of intense rainfall across the island’s northern parishes, with that 35mm accumulation falling over a remarkably short window. With the tropical wave set to maintain its influence on Barbados through the coming hours, forecasters say additional rainfall is unavoidable, and the oversaturated ground cannot absorb any more water — making flash flooding not just a possibility, but a high-probability outcome. The first wave of extreme downpours targeted the parishes of St Peter and St Lucy in late Monday morning, and the system is projected to bring wet conditions to every corner of the island in the hours ahead. According to the BMS forecast, rain and storm activity will gradually spread across the entire island through Monday afternoon and into the overnight period. Given the already saturated ground conditions that leave no capacity for additional moisture, BMS officials determined that further precipitation would almost certainly trigger sudden flash flooding, leading the agency to upgrade its earlier Flash Flood Watch to a full Flash Flood Warning for Monday afternoon. A lower-level Flash Flood Watch will remain in place for the overnight hours to cover lingering flood risks after the initial warning period. Forecasters have outlined a range of dangerous hazards that residents and travelers should prepare for, including inundated roadways, rapid water runoff, hillside erosion, and fast-moving flood currents that can render many routes completely impassable. The BMS detailed the full scope of expected impacts: runoff cascading from higher elevations that picks up speed and debris; increased soil erosion on areas with exposed or cleared land surfaces; standing water pooling on public roads and agricultural fields; rising water levels in existing natural and man-made water bodies such as ponds; debris and large objects washed downhill being swept into fast-moving flood currents; flooding along low-elevation hillside bases and coastal roadway corridors; and widespread travel disruptions that will leave many roads blocked or entirely cut off, particularly in and around smaller towns across the island. The agency is urging residents to follow official guidance, avoid flooded areas, and remain alert for updated weather and safety information as the storm system progresses.

  • Voluntary recall of specific batches of Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch

    Voluntary recall of specific batches of Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch

    Food manufacturer GraceKennedy Foods (GK Foods) has launched a voluntary recall for two specific batches of its 1-litre Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch, distributed across Barbados and multiple other international markets.

    The recall only targets products marked with two distinct best-before codes printed on the top of the packaging: BB JUL 21 27 L6 and BB JUL 22 27 L6. Company officials emphasize that the action is restricted exclusively to these two batches in the affected distribution regions, and no other sizes, batches, or flavor variations of the Grace Tropical Rhythms line are included, nor are any products sold in non-identified markets impacted.

    In an official public statement released by the company, GK Foods clarified that preliminary investigations and internal assessments have categorized the issue as a product quality deviation, not a threat to consumer food safety. To date, the company has not received any reports of illness, allergic reactions, or other adverse health events linked to consumption of the affected batches, and food safety experts do not expect negative health outcomes from using the product.

    Andrea Coy, Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Foods, emphasized that protecting product quality and upholding consumer trust are core priorities for the brand. “Even though this is ultimately a quality concern rather than a safety hazard, we made the decision to move forward with a voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution,” Coy explained. “This step ensures every product available to our customers continues to meet the rigorous quality standards they have come to expect from Grace.”

    Coy added that the company has coordinated closely with wholesale distributors and retail partners across all affected markets to accelerate the removal of the recalled products from store shelves. She also extended a formal apology to consumers and business customers for the disruption caused by the recall process.

    GK Foods is advising all consumers in affected regions who have purchased the 1-litre Fruit Punch with the targeted best-before codes to avoid consuming the product. Customers can return the unconsumed product to their original point of purchase to receive a full refund or a replacement product of equal value.