Residents and visitors will be able to store valuables at safety deposit boxes this summer at Horseshoe Bay Beach.

And the snack bar will be open for longer hours after Government announced yesterday that there will be a new operator of the beach concession.

The five-year contract ? which has been held for the past ten years by Long Botham Boats ? has been awarded to South Shore Hospitality, whose owners are Maurice Caines and Dilton Lightbourne.

The company will pay an annual rent of $160,000, a ten percent increase on that paid by Long Botham Boats, which also operates the Henry VII Restaurant and Henry?s Pantry.

Announcing the new contract yesterday, Works and Engineering Minister Terry Lister said the businessmen behind the winning concession ? who beat out seven other bidders ? have experience in owning or managing a restaurant, night club, hardware store, shipping company, real estate business and a cleaning service.

?Horseshoe Bay is Bermuda?s largest and most popular beach, used extensively by visitors and residents alike,? said Mr. Lister.

?We are particularly pleased with the new operators? plans to extend opening hours to serve the large numbers of local families who go to the beach after work and to provide lockers for valuables.

?We are confident that they will be able to provide the products and service expected and we wish them well in their newest venture.?