Businesses enjoyed a welcome boost thanks to the first Rum Festival held in Dockyard over the weekend.

The event, hosted jointly by Gosling’s Ltd and the West End Development Corporation, is likely to make a return to the West End for years to come, according to Andrew Holmes, the Gosling’s brand director. A similar event is being considered for St George’s.

Mr Holmes estimated that a couple of hundred visitors turned up yesterday, International Rum Day, and slightly fewer than that on the Saturday. The festival ran from 1am to 4pm on both days.

He told The Royal Gazette: “Our main goal was to help drive some business up to Dockyard and put it on the radar.

“I think it worked — some of the expectations might be different depending on who you are talking to. It was a pandemic festival — obviously, we couldn’t have 1,000 people in the Victualling Yard.

“It is hard to compare to when there were cruise ships, but the restaurants were still doing OK and it was well supported. It was a good start.

“Now it is important to get feedback to determine the best way to go forward. I have an idea for St George’s, it will be a similar marketing scheme to support the Olde Towne as well.”

The Rum Festival encouraged businesses to include rum-inspired offerings as well as providing activities and entertainment for the family.

Gosling’s held a sold-out rum tasting at the National Museum of Bermuda while businesses including Duch Pops, the Frog and Onion Pub, Bone Fish Bar and Grill, and Churchill’s Ltd all sold rum-infused fare.

Mr Holmes said he started yesterday with breakfast at the Pastry Shop which consisted of rum cake washed down with a Dark ‘n’ Stormy.

“It was a very relaxed atmosphere,” he said.

“Everything was nicely spaced out because Covid regulations and the festival was done in a very responsible way.

“It could certainly be something bigger for the future when we hopefully have more tourists on the island.”