9 Beaches Resort continues to struggle with low occupancy rates and was forced to layoff some workers yesterday.

The resort?s general manager Marcus Jones said in a press release last night that: ?the staff changes have proven to be painful and we sincerely regret that.?

Mr. Jones told on September 14 that autumn occupancy rates were as low as 30-40 percent ? well below projections. The press release said the low numbers meant the resort had, ?no choice but to make changes in order to be able to maintain operations and continue to satisfy our guests.?

The resort has consulted the Government?s Labour Relations office about the layoffs.was unable to find out the number of staff that was laid off.

This move comes only four months after the resort opened its doors. Prior to opening the resort the company spent $8 million on significant renovations and a massive marketing campaign.

David Dodwell, a principal in Island Resort Collection (IRC) which owns 9 Beaches and a UBP Shadow Minister, was unavailable for comment last night.

The owners? mission, when they started 9 Beaches, was to have to create a tourism product that was unlike anything else on the Island. Mr. Jones said the resort is something the Island needs as it tries to revive the tourism industry.

He asked the Bermuda public to support the resort during its first year