A new operator has been selected to run the concession at an East End beach, it was announced this week.

The Bermuda Land Development Company said that JAS Ltd had been selected as the tenant for the three buildings at Clearwater Beach in St David’s.

A BLDC spokeswoman said: “JAS Ltd is 100 per cent Bermudian-owned and consists of a consortium of hospitality leaders in tourism and restaurant industries.”

She added that the group planned to start to offer concession services “this spring”.

The selection of the company was made after an interview process in the wake of request for proposal last year.

The spokeswoman said that the quango received five submissions and that three applicants where shortlisted.

She added: “BLDC was intent on selecting a tenant operator that would improve the experiences offered at Clearwater and Turtle beaches, while at the same time ensuring that the local vibe remains unchanged.

“Clearwater is a destination unlike any other in Bermuda — a place where locals enjoy the many family-friendly activities available, and tourists are impressed by the natural beauty and Turtle Sanctuary on the east end of the island.

“Our goal is to further enhance the offering by providing a casual and quality food and beverage experience.”

The spokeswoman said: “We look forward to finalising the details of our phased improvement plan and sharing our vision with the community in due course.”

She added that details on what would be offered by JAS Ltd, such as the name of the venue, menu items and activities, would be released “as the grand opening nears”.

The spokeswoman said: “BLDC is excited to bring Clearwater Beach and its surrounding to a new level of enjoyment for all.”

The lease for the previous concession operator expired last month.

Marlon Laws, who owned Gombeys Bar & Restaurant, said at the time that the closure of the restaurant was a significant loss for Bermuda.

He added: “Gombeys is Bermuda — it’s like losing a part of Bermuda. When you come through those gates at Gombeys, you’re not a number. We’ve become family.”

An online petition was launched after it was learnt that Mr Laws’s lease would not be renewed and was signed by almost 3,000 people.

But Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said that “every effort” had been made to help Mr Laws to “provide a comprehensive proposal” to retain control of the concession.

Colonel Burch added: “Management, and the board, have gone to considerable lengths to assist the current leaseholder, to no avail, and have made what I consider the appropriate decision, to give other Bermudians an opportunity to make Clearwater a greater success, without dramatically changing the character of the Clearwater experience.”

He added that BLDC had identified the standard of service provided by Mr Laws “as not meeting the minimum expected of an operator at Clearwater Beach”.