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Fears over business closures in St George's

More business in St George's could close, Government said today.Transport Minister Terry Lister and Ellen-Kate Horton, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, recently visited the town and met Mayor Kenneth Bascome to discuss “ongoing initiatives and challenges in the town, especially as it relates to transport”.According to a press release a primary topic of conversation was the need for a dedicated cruise ship to be berthed in the town which would help in the revival of the ‘old town'.A study is currently underway on the Town Cut Channel and according to the release Mr Bascome “was hopeful that the study would show that dredging of the Town Cut would be sufficient to allow some cruise ships to use the port”.The press release added: “On the issue of taxis, Mayor Bascome said that often they were not available to take persons out of St. George's as they do not wait in the Town Square any longer as the restaurants are closed.“As has been reported, the White Horse has closed for the season, both the George and the Dragon and The Carriage House have closed down and there are others that are likely to follow.”Tour buses only remain in the town for 45 minutes and the Minister and Mayor agreed that a review on the time spent in St. George's was needed. There will also be a review of the policy banning buses from St George's Town Square.Mr Lister said: “We had a very frank and productive meeting with Mayor Bascome at his office in St. George's. Many topics were discussed, including transportation issues that will be reviewed with a view to benefitting the visitors and business people of the old town. I look forward to doing our part to do everything we can to revitalise this important piece of our overall tourism product.”