Old Harbour Bar and Promoters Association formed

The establishing of a governing body within the community for the sector was announced at a meeting recently staged at the Old Harbour Court House with the Old Harbour police command. 

The group will now be known as the Old Harbour Bar and Promoters Association with first vice-president Joan Davis informing stakeholders that the team is already in the process of registering the entity with the Companies Office of Jamaica.

Davis said the governing body will provide “help and guidance” for inexperienced members as it seeks to build an industry that will develop a reputation of fairness and transparency.  

In a previous meeting Commander in Charge of St Catherine South Police Division, SSP Christopher Phillips urged players in the industry to become a unified body that will guarantee them a voice at the policy level where critical decisions are usually made.

The newly formed association is headed by Fitzroy Gouldbourne, a renowned promoter of the Absolute Crave party series. In addition to having Davis, Gouldbourne has Haitian-born Denis Dimanche as another able deputy who will serve as second vice-president. The executive is completed by Geneva Peterkin, secretary; Peta-Gaye Perrin, assistant secretary; Suzette McLeod, treasurer; Alex Coward, assistant treasurer; Khadine Nolan, public relations officer (PRO); Claudia Deacon, events co-ordinator and Kevin Wallace, assistant events co-ordinator.

“I implore all persons who are bar owners, promoters [to] get with what is happening,” said Davis.

The efforts of the group are already showing signs of progress after lobbying successful on behalf its members for the police to grant permits at discounted rate.

Davis said several strategies are being discussed to raise the profile of the organization.

DSP Mark Harris, commanding officer in charge of the police sub-division of Old Harbour reiterated the importance of an established working relationship between the newly formed body and law enforcement officers.

We want [to see] structure,” said Old Harbour’s chief of police.