least the end of the year, the Transport Minister said last night.

Wayne Furbert also confirmed that talks were still taking place with Sir John Swan's Grape Bay Ltd. and he admitted the concessions could yet be re-tendered.

Last night Shadow Transport Minister Dennis Lister criticised the delay, accusing Government of holding out as long as possible in favour of former Premier Sir John and fellow UBP backbench MP Maxwell Burgess.

It also emerged yesterday that brothers Adrian and Nick Jones have been given a second chance to run a coffee shop at the Airport -- but might not go ahead with a deal.

Airport officials hoped to have finished their work by the end of May, allowing the concession winners to move in and put the finishing touches to their shops.

It is understood the other concessions awarded at the Airport will be moving ahead on schedule.

Mr. Furbert said: "The Department of Airport Operations will be putting in a service for an interim period which will provide food and drinks until we sort out what direction we are going in.

"We are having discussions with Aircraft Services Bermuda Ltd. to see if they will provide a temporary service for us until at least the end of the year.'' ASB currently runs food and drinks stands at the Airport.

Earlier this year Grape Bay Ltd. was recommended for the food and drinks concessions -- trading as McDonald's -- but the Prohibited Restaurant Bill halted those plans.

Grape Bay could still run another type of restaurant at the Airport but apparently are still undecided about the future. Mr. Furbert said talks with the company were still on going.

Talks are also still taking place within Cabinet about the situation and the Minister said nothing could be fully decided until the Prohibited Restaurant Bill's third reading in June.

Mr. Furbert added: "If we have to go out for tender for bids again we can do that over the summer months and hopefully get someone for the new year. We cannot have construction knocking around during the summer. That would shut down a considerable amount of our seating area.

"It is in the Country's best interests that we provide some sort of service at the Airport.'' Last night Mr. Lister accused Government of giving Grape Bay time to decide about the concessions.

"It seems as if special favours or consideration is being given to a small group of people.

"The whole concessions issue should have been re-opened to public bidding or the second choice bidder should have been approached to see if they were still interested,'' said Mr. Lister.

"From the beginning people were concerned about the fact that the situation seemed to favour Grape Bay and now it seems to be even more inclined that way,'' he added.

Adrian Jones and his brother Nick applied to run a coffee kiosk concession at the Airport, but lost out to the Grape Bay bid which won the right to run five concession areas.

Concessions on hold Mr. Furbert said he would reconsider the Jones' bid in the light of accusations that he misled the House of Assembly by saying Grape Bay was the only bidder for the concession.

Last night Adrian Jones said he had been given a lease to run a coffee shop, but was unsure whether he would take up the option.

"I have been given a lease to run a concession for a coffee bar, but I haven't come to any decision about what to do yet,'' he said. "It is a big lease and I have been going through it with my lawyers, but I am not sure.'' RESTAURANTS EAT