Government has shut down an East End beach bar less than a month into the tourism season and is to close St. George's Golf Course at the end of June.

The moves are said to be necessary for the demolition of the former Club Med hotel, which sits adjacent to both sites.

The owners of Beach It! received a hand-delivered letter last Friday, stating they had to vacate the premises they poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into transforming from a rundown shack into a popular attraction, by June 24.

Chris and Barbara West were informed of Government's decision after having spent the winter upgrading what was once the Club Med beach club and snack bar, and purchasing necessary stock. The facility rents out watercraft and beach equipment in addition to its restaurant operations.

The pair was aware of a plan to demolish the former Club Med hotel some time soon, but said they had received assurances they would be able to finish the season and had been paying rent throughout the winter in good faith.

"We had no idea it was coming at all," said Mr. West, who was abroad when the notice was served.

"In fact, I spoke with the Premier (Ewart Brown) at the tourism conference at the Southampton Princess and I was under the impression we would be okay for the season.

"It cost us $25,000 to open up ¿ for just one month. We've been preparing all through April, spending money on painters, equipment, plus our rent."

The sudden eviction follows news that Government is to close St. George's Golf Course next month. That announcement has caused panic among staff of possible redundancies and disappointment that ¿ with Port Royal already closed ¿ only one public course will be open to golfers.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan took on both causes, saying poor planning on the part of Government was at the root of them. And he speculated that St. George's Golf Club could be next to fall.

"Chris West was told last Friday, the day before Bermuda Day, that he had to be out in a month's time. Why would you give a person notice as the season starts? What type of bloody plan is that? At the same time, they're telling people the golf course will close, there's the possibility of redundancy. I am at the golf club frequently. The staff were up in arms because they don't know what the future is for them. What type of planning is going on?

"Works & Engineering referred to the fact that it might also have to demolish the golf club house in a press release not too long ago. There's a great deal of ambiguity taking place and not sufficient planning to allow the persons who are to be impacted to take comfort."

Mr. Swan said he had done a lot of "sniffing" in hopes of uncovering Government and luxury hotel operator Bazarian International's plans for St. George's Golf Course but his efforts had only yielded " a terrible stench".

"We've been asking to see the plan for the revised golf course. What is Government's long-term plan for public golf in Bermuda? If the plans aren't ready, why are they closing the golf course and Beach It!?"

The St. George's MP said he had many questions, all unanswered.

l What do they plan to do with public owned property are they tying it into the hotel lease?

l Why are they closing the golf course at St. George's while Port Royal is closed and leaving only one government course open?

l What land the revised course will it take in?

l How will it tie into the new hotel?

l How much coastline is to be retained or is there a plan to develop some of that?

l What's the total estimated value of the golf course property that is publicly owned?

l Will some of the property be used for condos or strictly as a recreational golf course?

"We don't want another Stonington Beach / Coco Reef scenario where public land leaves public hands for decades," he stated.

Mr. Swan expressed his concerns as a professional golfer who helped promote the island as a venue for enthusiasts of the sport. He said Wendell Brown, chairman of the board of trustees that oversees the management of the island's three public courses, informed staff at the St. George's Course of its closure on Wednesday.

Mr. Brown did not return a call asking for comment yesterday. Tourism Board chairman and local representative for Bazarian International, E. Michael Jones, insisted details of the development are not yet finalised.

"The plans are currently being worked on," he said. "The golf course is going to be redeveloped. There could be an opportunity (to redevelop the club) but it's a long way before we get to that stage. Once the plans are finalised and there's an opportunity for discussion to take place, the Government, Bazarian and the hotel developer will tell everybody what the plans are."

Mr. Jones expressed sympathy for the staff, saying he was "sure they are concerned" by the lack of information but maintained it was "inappropriate" to discuss the matter as it was "just too early at this stage".

Mr. Swan said most of the employees he talked with where completely "bewildered" by the turn of events.

"The staff is concerned. Most people associated with the course are very bewildered by all these recent transactions at a time when we're meant to have amenities available for visitors. And it's especially unfortunate for the workers who will find it hard to fight against a Government that has resources ¿ which is ironically our money ¿ to do things against us. They were voted in by us, they're employed by us and yet do things contrary to what we would want."

The United Bermuda Party leader said he was advised Beach It! was handed its walking papers by golf course staff.

"Why would you allow a business to wait through the winter? They could have sold off their stock. Who can they sell that equipment to now? Anyone who needed equipment would have bought it over the winter. Nobody buys at the beginning of the season."

Ironically, he said, the Wests had only recently started an event in partnership with the Department of Tourism. The Bermuda Beach Jam, featuring live entertainment, kicked off May 18 and was to run through October.

"Three days after the promotion starts they're given notice to quit. They can't keep treating people like this," the MP said of the Government. "It's happening to Chris, it's happening to the workers at St. George's Golf Course, it can happen to anyone.

"Why are they messing with people? Why are they doing this to the workers of St. George's now? Port Royal is closed. If they're promoting (the) Golf and Spa (during the off-season), they should have at least two courses open."

The Wests obtained a five-year lease on the property in 2000. It was extended by one year and then in 2006, they were placed on a monthly contract.

Said Mr. West: "I accepted it because I figured, what could happen (to make us have to move) in a month? Why would they wait until now to tell us? May is a slow month and all of a sudden they say we have to let you go within 24 days of operation?

"I feel like I'm sitting between a rock and a hard place. If we were able to go until the beginning of September we would have a chance to recoup (the money invested). It's crazy."

He and his wife said they stand behind Dr. Brown and his efforts to bring a new hotel to St. George's but didn't understand the way their eviction had been handled.

"We feel that beach tourism is so important here in St. George's as there's a limited amount to be done," said Mrs. West. "We've provided a fun, island environment for tourists and locals for the past seven years. The plans aren't beneficial to tourism in St. George's.

"Obviously we knew of the plans to (redevelop the property) but I called all through April and the beginning of May and nobody could/would tell me what was happening."

The couple have signed contracts with cruise ships and bands and alcohol and food distributors and hired staff to see them through the 2008 season, she added.

"The implosion must have been planned for months and yet we were allowed to pay rent all winter and start up our business. Basically, our staff has 24 days to find new jobs. All we're hoping is that we can get an extra two months."

Mr. West said he intends to contact Government today to discuss his options moving forward.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I have to think this one out a bit but we will have to approach Government to get our money back. I've never seen anything like this before. It's crazy. We do support the hotel being built but to cut off everyone's throat at the start is crazy. I will be speaking with the Government."