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Giftland Mall assures 2000 job opportunities upon completion
– Eight-theatre Cineplex, 500-seat food court among features
Employment opportunities for 2,000 persons will be available after Giftland Mall opens its doors for business in February 2013 upon completion of all phases.
Managing Director, Roy Beepat, noted that the construction of phase one will cost at least G$4 billion. This will be provided by commercial banks and two investors.
The mall will incorporate international and indigenous aspects into its design and service offerings, and also serve as a tourist (both local and foreign) attraction. It is being constructed on six acres at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, adjacent to the CARICOM Headquarters. The company acquired the land in September 2007.
A section of the Giftland Mall under construction.
One of the major features will be the inclusion of an eight-theatre Cineplex. Currently no such facility exists in Guyana and given the resurgence of movie theatres in the Caribbean (St Lucia, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, amongst others) the time, according to Beepat, is opportune for the introduction of such facilities in Guyana, particularly the highly-populated Georgetown and surrounding areas.
The other significant addition to Guyanese entertainment will be a 500-seat food court done in an open air courtyard setting which will offer a variety of local and international cuisine in addition to franchises. This area will not only be for dining, but also an entertainment hot-spot.
There will also be local live entertainment, ranging from poetry recital and drama to live music and plays.
Beepat noted that the intention and concept behind the food court/entertainment area is more one of cultural enrichment and enhancement rather than just retailing, and as such the design, landscaping and layout will reflect this.
Giftland Mall intends to supply its own electrical generators, water wells and sewerage systems, and a 3.5 acre parking lot, which might include a sheltered bus terminus, has been identified to facilitate approximately 500 vehicles.
It was emphasised that all of areas of the mall would make provision for disabled persons.
Giftland plans to close its Water Street operations upon completion of the massive facility.
Phase two is expected to include a multi-level car park, supermarket, hardware store, hotel, auditorium and casino. Phase three will consist of multi-level shopping and offices with a connecting conveyor sky-walk between the car park and third wing.
According to Beepat, the Mall will provide many direct and indirect benefits to the economy and augment the infrastructural work being done by the Government.
Some of the benefits, he emphasised, include “employment opportunities for skilled, unskilled/semi-skilled, professional, part-time workers, University of Guyana students; the setting up of a Retailing/Merchandising/Customer Service training centre in administrative offices to train persons in the labour pool; an increase in Government revenue from taxes and VAT; significant opportunities for indigenous skilled workers to showcase their handicraft all year round, and opportunities for many independent business and service providers to have a branch outside of the congested downtown business centre”.
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