Efforts to open a new restaurant on St George’s historic King’s Square came one step closer to fruition yesterday with a roof-wetting ceremony.

While Marico Thomas, the restaurateur behind FoodHub, had previously clashed with the Government over the project at the former Pub on the Square, he was joined by David Burt, the Premier, George Dowling, Mayor of St George, and others to celebrate the event.

Mr Thomas said: “There are systems and processes in place for a reason, and sometimes those systems are not aligned to deal with new things, and the vanguards of those systems may not be the ones in power to change those systems and make a problem go away in a sensitive way.

“Ultimately common sense prevailed. It is about the jobs, it is about making a difference in St George’s, and both of those things are in everyone’s best interests.

“Once that is understood and everyone is in alignment, then everyone approaches the problem differently.”

He added that many of the older aspects of the building including stone steps and wooden beams had been retained.

The project previously made headlines when Mr Thomas said work had been halted after planning staff told him that an exhaust fan on the building’s roof was too large.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs said the extractor fan at the heart of the dispute was not included in the original planning application and had sparked concerns from residents, the Corporation of St George’s and the St George’s Preservation Authority.

While the exhaust fan remains on the building, it has since been painted white to better blend in with the roof itself.

Mr Burt congratulated Mr Thomas and his team on the project and thanked them for their investment in the town.

He said: “The work that needs to be done in St George’s is the same work that needs to be done across the country.

“It is the responsibility of the Government to support investment in Bermuda. Investment creates work, investment creates jobs, investment creates life, and what we want to do here in this historic town is to make sure we help deliver on that promised renaissance.”

Mr Burt acknowledged that the relationship between the Government and Mr Thomas had not always been “smooth”.

But he added: “The fact is in Bermuda if there are challenges, we must rise to the occasion and work through those challenges.

“We have been able to work through those challenges, and there will be more challenges to come, but the Government is committed to supporting this business with the employment opportunities it will provide, for the activity it will provide for the Town of St George.

“What is vital is that entrepreneurs who are getting investors involved must have access to the same support that international investors have. If there is a space in which this Government can improve, it is in that space.

“It is something that we have recognised in the conversations that we have had with Mr Thomas, and we will deliver.”

Mr Dowling said the project was one example of the work being done to bring about a revitalisation of the town.

He said that the building had fallen into disrepair and become an eyesore since the previous business at the location closed.

“The building had been closed up and sat vacant for a number of years, and you may all remember vividly the balcony that was always in danger of collapse,” Mr Dowling said.

“Once the building changed hands, it underwent a renaissance similar to the rest of the Town of St George.”

He highlighted the new roof installation and renovations at the nearby Market Wharf building, work on the new marina, the rebuilding of 15 Queen Street and the demolition of the Deliverance in advance of a fundraising campaign to build a new, purpose-built structure.

Mr Dowling added: “This is not an old town, it’s an historic town. It’s a living town. Balance must always be struck between progress and preservation.”

Renée Ming, MP for St George’s East, noted that her first job was as a bus girl at the Pub on the Square.

“St George’s is an historic town, but we are evolving,” she said. “What you see here is modernisation at work, but with that historical flair to it.

“We will do our best as area representatives to be supportive and to provide as much assistance as we are able.”

Kim Swan, MP for St George’s West, added that he was happy to see life return to the once popular location.

He said: “I can only see greater things growing from this, because nothing breeds success like success, so we are going to build off of this I’m sure.”

Mr Thomas said more work needs to be done on the site, but said the restaurant would welcome its first customers this year.

“We need to be open for Christmas, and we would like to be open by November so that there is a runway,” he said. “I would love to soft launch in October, but October is next month and we are also involved in work at the drive-through in Devonshire.

“It’s really going to be about what our management team can handle. We are working together to get this project done, and making sure we have enough staff and management to handle it.”