KINGSTON, Jamaica — Guardsman Hospitality (GH) says that it will not be able to accommodate public admission to the Fort Clarence Beach in St Catherine as planned this weekend.

“We have not been able to make substantial remedial infrastructure changes due to circumstances beyond our control,” General Manager of Guardsman Hospitality, Laura Heron said in a press release today.

“The management apologises to the public for any inconvenience that will be caused. We look forward to hosting beach-goers as soon as is safely possible.”

GH noted that the attraction development and management company, which is a part of the Guardsman Group, started its 25-year lease of the popular weekend beach from the Urban Development Corporation on September 1, 2019.

GH added that it was the only entity to bid for the beach’s management after three invitations to tender.

“Sargassum management has already begun on the property and we are in planning mode for its safe, sustainable removal. In the medium to long-term, we are designing a system to prevent the seaweed from reaching the shores,” Heron said.

The significant redevelopment to the 16-hectare beach park in Hellshire will be done in phases with major infrastructure changes to start in late 2020, the release said.