has decided.

"My wife and I are pleased in one aspect, and a little frustrated in another aspect,'' Mr. Bascome said.

Having "made the business at Tobacco Bay'' over 15 years, Mr. Bascome felt the Corporation should have given him a year's notice before advertising in November for proposals from other concession operators.

Mr. Bascome, 46, who operates the concession with his wife Rochelle, was chosen for the three-year lease over eight applicants.

"The beautiful part of the whole scenario is the fact that seven other people now see the viability of an area that initially only I did,'' he said. He did not feel his recent unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Corporation was a factor in the retendering of the contract. But he said the experience gave him more incentive to try again for elected office in future.

The concession at the popular swimming spot in St. George's rents snorkelling gear and sells food, beverages, underwater cameras, umbrellas, and towels.

Mr. Larry Jacobs, secretary of St. George, said the eight applicants were reduced to a short list of three, and the Corporation unanimously approved the property committee's selection of Mr. Bascome at a meeting on Wednesday night.

Mr. Jacobs said the lease used to be renewed annually, but it was increased to three years to give the concession operator incentive to make improvements and recoup his investment.

In choosing the concession operator, the Corporation was concerned about quality of service, how Bermuda and the Old Town were represented to the public, and cleanliness of the operation, Mr. Jacobs said.

The rent the Corporation received would be the same regardless of which contractor was chosen, he said.

Mr. Bascome