City Mall opens
Guyana Chronicle
December 19, 2006
CITY Mall, the country’s first modern shopping centre, was formally opened yesterday by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, who chided city businesses who have been “sitting on their laurels” and challenged them to step up to the competition.
The multi-million dollar mall, located at the junction of Regent and Camp streets, was built by the proprietor of the popular Splasmins resort and Ashmins Trading, Mr. Lennox John.
Given his usual shyness, well wishers were load in applause when he took to the podium, crediting his accomplishment to will power and blessings of God.
“I trust that all Guyana will accept it as my gift to the nation,” Mr. John said.
Prashad said the location the mall is built on was once an eyesore, since the previous business housed there years ago were burnt. He said the mall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country and is comparable to similar malls overseas.
“Guyana has entered the big league,” he said.
The mall, built to accommodate 61 businesses, is not yet complete. The first and second floors were ready for yesterday’s opening. The other two floors will be completed in the new year.
The escalators which carry customers from the ground floor to the next floor has already created a frenzy, since they are the first in Guyana. A glass elevator is soon to be added to take customers to the other floors.
The attractions of the fourth floor are eagerly anticipated.
Mr. John said it will accommodate two multi screen theatres with digital sound, sports bar, a gaming centre and eating houses.
Prashad, in an obvious reference to store owners who have failed to spruce up their premises and improve on the standard of their services, said they would now have to face the competition, since the mall is expected to be a major pull for shoppers.
Businesses range from the restaurants, clothing stores, beauty salons and barber shops to electronic stores and jewellery shops.
Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Mr. R.K. Sharma, said the bank was eager to support John when he went to them with the project.
He said the project was testimony to the fact that the spirit of entrepreneurship is still alive in Guyana and it belies the claim of those who may seem to doubt that progress and development can take place here.
He said the mall would change the landscape of the retail business in Guyana.
Prashad noted that John wanted the government, particularly the Guyana Office for Investment, to be recognised for its support to the project.