KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Guardsman Hospitality (GH) will not be able to accommodate public admission to the Fort Clarence Beach as planned this weekend.

"We have not been able to make substantial remedial infrastructure changes due to circumstances beyond our control," said Laura Heron, general manager of Guardsman Hospitality. "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."

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 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 shared.

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