Bridgetown.
The British company Harlequin Hotels & Resorts has halted operations in Barbados owing employees two months’ salary, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) about $80 000 and several local businesses and contractors in excess of $3 million.
The Essex based company, has been the subject of legal troubles abroad, has closed its offices in Hastings, Christ Church, and the majority of its senior managers have packed up and left.
Its two multi-million dollar resorts – Merricks in St Philip and H Barbados in Hastings, Christ Church – which were booming with construction activity just six months ago, are now deserted.
In a statement to the media from its British office, Harlequin said it was in the process of restructuring elements of its business.
“As a result a number of staff have been laid off and the H Barbados site has been closed on a temporary basis while this occurs. Harlequin is communicating closely with sub-contractors engaged on H and Merricks and hope to see them back at work again soon", the statement said.
Last month, David Ames, the owner of Harlequin properties and its directors were accused of taking over three hundred million pounds of British investors money to build luxury properties in the Caribbean and not doing so.
Legal papers were filed at a High Court In Birmingham to freeze the assets of Harlequin Property and its directors in an attempt to get back money for worried investors.
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