City Mall formally opened - third floor to house movie theatres
Stabroek News
December 19, 2006
Guyanese can shop in fine style for the Christmas season as the new multi-million dollar City Mall at the corner of Camp and Regent streets was formally declared open yesterday to the carols and rhythms of the City Jammers Steel orchestra.
The long awaited mall which houses dozens of retails outlets is housed in the building described as marvellous in structure and crowned with a skylight ceiling. It features the very first pair of escalator stairs, something Guyana has been waiting for.
It gives the public an opportunity to see a modern layout that accommodates different types of operations, from banking services to restaurants and retail outlets of different sizes. The ground floor caters for smaller enterprises and food outlets, while on the first floor shoppers could look forward to specialty shops, jewellery outlets, internet cafes, salons and barber shops. The third floor which is not quite complete promises to cater for entertainment needs and will be outfitted with two full screen movie theatres with digital sound systems, sports and snack bars and a number of restaurants.
Declaring the mall open yesterday, Proprietor Lennox John told the gathering that the mall, which is a dream fulfilled, was his gift to Guyana. "This was an extremely costly venture and I want the people of Guyana to accept this as my gift to our nation," he said.
John, also the owner of Splashmin's Resort and Fun Park and Ashmin's Trading Company called for the support of the entire nation in his latest investment and openly thanked his wife and children for their overwhelming support throughout the entire project. "I am ensuring that my fellow Guyanese are exposed to a modern way of shopping and so I am asking for your support for this project and the businesses that will operate here," he said.
Radha Krishna Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), which has seen John through this and other business ventures, said when the institution was approached with the idea it was quite ready to get on board and make John's vision a reality. "At a time when many seem to doubt that progress and development still occur in our country, it is at occasions and activities such as this that we can recognize that the spirit of enterprise is alive and active in Guyana," he said. He lauded the effort by John and his family and noted that it took energy, perseverance and support and as a financial institution GBTI was happy to provide support for initiatives like this. "Our wish is that every entrepreneur would strive for similar achievements in their ventures, but I must hasten to add that real success can only be attained by prudent business practices, adherence to the established standards for effective business management and corporate governance and consistent examination of the factors that have an effect on the business," Sharma said.
Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad, who on behalf of government accepted the gift of behalf of the nation, alluded to the fact that the mall would evidently transform the landscape of the area in which it is situated. "This four-storey structure originates from one man's dream to revolutionize Guyana's retail industry. It is a city landmark that is unlike any other and will become one of Guyana's best known shopping areas," he said.
The minister recounted the days when the plot of land which now houses the mall, was a complete eye sore. "I am happy that the mall is here and Guyanese will enjoy this new facility," he said.
He pointed to the timeliness of the establishment in the light of the season and the upcoming CWC 2007 games.
"The mall has given me a chance to exercise my architectural talent and I am privileged to have been afforded this opportunity," architect Sheldon Williams said.
Williams said once he came up with the concept and design which he proposed to John, they explored with other designs and eventually came up with the blend which stands tall at the centre of the country's shopping area.
"I think that Guyanese businessmen should demand good quality architecture at all times and if we are going to talk about eco-tourism we have to start with our architecture," he said.