Viking Productions has invested some US$2 million for the establishment of internationally renowned brand, Hard Rock Café for which ground was broken last week here in the tourism resort city.

According to Chief Operating Officer(COO) of Rockin Restaurant Group Andre Dixon, about 80 people will be employed when the Seawind Beach Club is eventually transformed into the Hard Rock Café by the end of November.

“Our commitment to Montego Bay is to be a leader in the community in the areas of entertainment, culinary options and special events. We expect to enlist the help of 80 or more highly qualified Jamaican employees in management and line staff positions. They will be challenged to deliver the Hard Rock standard on a consistent basis and we will look forward to your patronage to keep them on their toes. So, friends, neighbours and countrymen, look out for a rockin’ new product in November!” Dixon remarked during Friday’s ground breaking ceremony.

Meanwhile, with a total of 199 venues in 63 countries, including 153 Café, 21 hotels and 10 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is a globally recognised company.

Beginning with a guitar that was donated by Eric Clapton, Hard Rock reportedly owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe.

Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett in bringing greetings at the ground breaking ceremony, lauded Vikings Production for establishing Hard Rock Café in Jamaica.

“I want to commend you for bringing Hard Rock here and I want to commend you for believing in Jamaica and for partnering with us to build out this entertainment experience so that we can achieve our growth targets, we can achieve our earnings requirements, we can create jobs and we can enjoy a beautiful Jamaica where prosperity and peace abound,” an elated Bartlett enthused.

Meanwhile, mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris was also full of praise for Dixon and his team.

“I have to give Andre (Dixon) the thumbs up for being such a visionary. Let me say to the HRI group that we welcome you to Montego Bay. You should have been here years ago. But you are still on time. Your investment here will certainly be a worthwhile one,” Harris noted.

Ronald McKay, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, in delivering the keynote address, also welcomed the international brand to the local shores.

“It’s an absolute natural to have this marriage between Hard Rock and destination Jamaica. And what better place to start it than in our tourism hub, the city of Mobtego Bay,” McKay argued.