Access Road to South Friars Bay impeded as controversy intensifies

by Kevon Browne

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—The South Friars Bay debacle continues in St. Kitts as the government ordered the relocation of several long-standing, locally owned beach bars to make way for a major, foreign-invested development —the Ritz-Carlton resort.

It was reported that via formal notice from the St. Kitts and Nevis government, bar owners—including The Godfather Bar, The Discovery Bar, and The Shipwreck Bar & Grill—were informed of the development and the need to relocate, which was met with sharp public criticism and protests.

The dispute, which reached a critical point in March/April 2026, centres on the preservation of local livelihoods, environmental concerns, and the rights of foreign developers.

The pushback on this ‘forced relocation,’ as some describe it, continues to mount, as a deadline has passed: the bar owners had until April 07, 2026, at midnight to relocate or face demolition.

In footage captured from social commentator Jefroy Morrishaw between April 7 and 08, 2026, the bar still stands; however, an unnamed individual operated an excavator and dug a trench blocking the exit to South Friars Bay and the bars there.

Morrishaw, in one of his live broadcasts on April 08, 2026, called out the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis for their passivity regarding what is happening at South Friars Bay and urged people to do more to protect their rights.

Allegedly, another entrance is being excavated through the Carambola entrance, which would be the new public entrance to the beach, but it remains blocked in various ways from vehicular access.

The land is earmarked for a luxury hotel development, and developers intend to begin earthworks for a permanent public access road, which will require the removal of the existing beach bars.

The government has stated that the bars were operating on private property without proper authorisation.

The developers requested a move in August 2025; however, the government allowed the bar operators to stay through the peak 2025/2026 tourism season to help the bar earn some revenue and make provisions for relocation.

Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Garth Wilkin, had previously stated that the government tried to negotiate, offering alternative legal sites along the Frigate Bay Strip and at Cockleshell Bay; however, the operators have not finalised these relocation plans.

It is unclear whether their refusal to move was in protest; the bars all still stand at the time of reporting.

The dispute has sparked protests under the banner “Save Our Beaches” (SOB), with locals arguing that local entrepreneurs are being sacrificed for foreign investors and that they were given too little time to move.

A public protest march took place in late March 2026, calling for the protection of beaches and local businesses from eviction.

Activists have raised concerns about the development, which is impacting a sea turtle nesting ground and a critical wetland area for migrating birds.

There have been constant suggestions that the government is favouring foreign investors over its citizens concerning the South Friar’s Bay situation.

Despite assurances that beach access will remain public, many residents fear that the construction of luxury resorts will effectively create private, restricted access to one of the island’s most iconic beaches.

As of April 8, 2026, the area is in transition following the closure of the existing dirt access road, and the government has remained silent on the actions taken between April 07 and 08, seemingly maintaining its position that the relocation is necessary for the development of the tourism sector.