Scratch card with every purchase over $6! $ 40,000 WIN UP TO IN CASH, FOOD & PRIZES! ANNI V ER SA R Y ~ SCR AT CH & W IN ! ~ cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 Weekly, 26 April - 2 May 2024 Disorganised crime Chancers and freelancers risk life and freedom on the Jamaica drug-boat run Over $1 million of cocaine washed up on Cayman's beaches last year Pages 28-30 Photo: James WhittakerMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. BOY KILLS WORLD (R) (FRI, MON-THURS) 7:25 VIP | 7:30 | 10:00 VIP | 10:15 (SAT) 1:00 VIP | 7:25 VIP | 7:30 | 10:00 VIP | 10:15 CHALLENGERS (R) (FRI, MON-THURS) 3:45 | 3:55 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:05 | 10:05 (SAT) 1:30 | 3:45 | 3:55 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:05 | 10:05 GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (PG-13) (SAT) 12:55 (SUN) 4:00 | 6:40 VIP | 9:45 GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (PG-13) (FRI, MON-THURS) 3:30 VIP | 9:35 (SAT) 12:35 | 3:30 VIP | 9:35 (SUN) 3:30 VIP | 7:30 | 9:30 VIP | 9:35 KUNG FU PANDA 4 (PG) (SUN) 4:30 | 7:10 SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE (SUBBED) (PG-13) (FRI, MON-THURS) 4:20 VIP | 4:50 | 6:50 (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 4:20 VIP | 4:50 | 6:50 (SUN) 4:20 VIP | 4:50 | 6:50 | 7:20 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE (R) (FRI-SAT, MON-THURS) 3:30 | 10:15 VIP WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK THE FALL GUY (PG-13) (FRI, MON, WED-THURS) 4:00 | 6:45 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 | 9:45 VIP (SAT) 1:00 | 1:30 VIP | 4:00 | 6:45 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 | 9:45 VIP (SUN) 3:35 | 4:00 VIP | 6:45 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 | 9:45 VIP (TUES) 4:00 | 6:45 | 9:30 | 10:20 VIP For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted KIDS CLUB TROLLS SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted KIDS CLUB THE LITTLE MERMAID SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted CLASSICS FIGHT CLUB TUESDAY 7PM VIP (R) (1989) FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 • Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 • E: sales@compassmedia.ky • W: caymancompass.com weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy chance of isolated showers SEA STATE Moderate with a wave height of 3 to 5 feet. WINDS East at 15 to 20 knots. 87°F HIGH 77°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Delays hit John Gray High School's remaining phases One year after John Gray High School’s grand opening, government is still struggling to move forward with the final phases of the project, which has stretched on for more than 15 years and already cost tens of millions of dollars. Completion of the two remaining projects at the George Town campus have encountered delays, an Education Ministry spokesperson has confirmed. The John Gray High School Project C is facing a six-month delay “primarily due to logistic issues related to Project A, which impacted both Projects B and C”, the spokesperson, in response to Compass queries, said via a 21 April email. Project A was completing the new John Gray High School, Project B was repurposing the former George Hicks High School site, and Project C – currently the subject of tender bids by contractors – is demolishing the CIFEC campus and completing the new high school sports fields. The spokesperson said the necessary repairs at the existing George Hicks site have further extended the timeline for Project B, which includes the relocation of CIFEC and other users from the Walkers Road site. “Project C, which involves constructing a sports field, cannot commence until the relocation is complete. The Ministry of Education is committed to delivering a fully functional John Gray High School campus and is actively working to commence Project C by July 2024,” the spokesperson said. Work began on the overall project in 2008 before stalling several times, causing increases to its budget until the campus’ completion last year. Shipping issues prompt Junior Batabano postponement Cayman Carnival Junior Batabano has been postponed, due to “circumstances beyond our control”, according to its committee chair, Donna Myrie. A new date for the event has not yet been finalised. In a statement sent to the Cayman Compass on 23 April, Myrie said, “Our shipping agent had problems delivering and [locating] the cargo with the kiddies’ costumes in a timely fashion even though the service was to be expressed.” The 21st Junior Batabano, originally set to take place on 20 April, is the kickoff event for carnival season in Cayman. She said that, in the many years of organising the event, “we never had to postpone a staging unless the cause was natural disaster”. The postponement has resulted in “several non-budgeted expenses and line items to re-stage”, Myrie said, adding, “The re-hosting of Junior Batabano Road Parade and Teen Dance has not only doubled our small team’s workload but our expenses as well.” Each year, more than 200 kids flock to the streets of George Town in colourful costumes, displaying national pride and bringing large crowds together to enjoy festivities during the day. Myrie said the committee is “working assiduously with the police to derive a workable date for the restaging in the shortest possible time”. Prospect Primary students go green for Earth Day Prospect Primary students teamed up to enhance the aesthetics of the surroundings at their school, adding more greenery on the compound as part of their annual Earth Day celebrations this week. The school, in partnership with Vigoro Nursery and the Department of Agriculture, planted 50 flowers and fruit trees around the school on Monday, 22 April, as students participated in a series of engaging activities aimed at fostering environmental awareness and action. Prospect Primary marked Earth Day with a whole-school event led by the science lead, Shawn Harris, and students, which featured a poem, lively dance performance and an insightful Earth Day-themed skit. The school also launched its inaugural Environmental Club, spearheaded by Winsome Barnaby, with “students pledging their commitment to environmental stewardship in front of their peers, teachers, community partners, and parents”, a statement from the school said. “Younger students had the opportunity to learn about hydroponics, expanding their understanding of innovative agricultural practices. As part of Prospect Primary’s ongoing commitment to waste reduction, the school received recycling bins for classrooms courtesy of school staff and Foster’s. This will further promote a culture of sustainability among students and staff alike,” it added. The school also had planned activities for the week, such as presentations on solar/ renewable energy, a science quiz between year groups, an art competition, and creating recycled outfits for dress down day – all of which culminate with a community and beach clean-up on Saturday, 27 April. Upgrades for Brac Public Works equipment Government has started shopping around for a new asphalt plant and a new fleet for Cayman Brac Public Works as part of planned upgrades and replacement of existing equipment. The upgrades form the basis of three public procurement tenders on government’s Bonfire portal, and include invitations for quotes for heavy equipment and fleet enhancement, a rock crusher and associated equipment, and a new asphalt plant. The tender falls under Cayman Brac East MP and Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly’s Ministry of District Administration and Lands. The ministry, responding to Compass queries on the tender, said many of the current pieces of equipment “have reached or exceeded their useful life”. “Procurement of new equipment will include increased efficiency and operational capacity of the PWD section,” it said. The ministry added that in an effort to ensure value for money, government is exploring the acquisition of a rock crusher “in order to manage the development of large parcels of Crown land as well as the development of roads”. The business cases for these projects commenced in 2023 and completed in early 2024, it said, but those have not been made public yet. Red Bay Primary’s ‘Swirling Winds’ in action at a previous Junior Batabano. This year's event has been postponed. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay Prospect Primary School students planting one of 50 trees on their school compound as part of their Earth Day celebrations on 22 April. - Photo: Supplied cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 20241234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 A light parody (5) 4 Withdraw from competition (7) 8 Monotonous routine (3) 9 Impudent (9) 10 A lustrous smooth fabric (7) 11 Group’s characteristic spirit (5) 13 Rich pastureland (6) 15 Injure by overuse (6) 18 Military chaplain (5) 19 Tree-living American marsupial (7) 21 On the ground (9) 23 Nickname of US president, d.1865 (3) 24 Power (7) 25 Jottings (5) DOWN 1 A layer (7) 2 In peremptory manner (3,2,4) 3 Natural or synthetic filament (5) 4 Story in instalments (6) 5 To mirror (7) 6 Nervous twitching (3) 7 Ancient Greek abode of dead (5) 12 Initial competitive advantage (4,5) 14 Exceed fixed time (7) 16 Figures in the Old Testament (7) 17 Group of settlers (6) 18 Flop down (5) 20 On many occasions (5) 22 Small spot (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17615 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 17615 ACROSS: 1 Spoof, 4 Scratch, 8 Rut, 9 Barefaced, 10 Taffeta, 11 Ethos, 13 Meadow, 15 Strain, 18 Padre, 19 Opossum, 21 Underfoot, 23 Abe, 24 Potency, 25 Notes. DOWN: 1 Stratum, 2 Out of hand, 3 Fibre, 4 Serial, 5 Reflect, 6 Tic, 7 Hades, 12 Head start, 14 Overrun, 16 Numbers, 17 Colony, 18 Plump, 20 Often, 22 Dot. What they’re saying Online American guns, Caymanian victims As it stands, only law-abiding citizens and visitors cannot have guns. Any criminal easily can, though. What we really need is a right to have firearms for all. - Alexander P. “US weapons responsible for 70% of firearm crimes…” blame the weapon? Blame the US? Always pointing the finger and never looking in the mirror. The Cayman Islands government needs to step up for her citizens. Guns aren’t the problem… joblessness, poverty, morality, lack of family values… those are the problems. Where is the government? Dining with contractors. Where are the police? Being arrested. Where are the parents? Working low-paying jobs. Come on, open your eyes to the real problems of the country. - Andy B. First sentence: When a shooting takes place in the Cayman Islands, more often than not an American gun was responsible. When a shooting takes place in the Cayman Islands, 100% of the time, the person firing the gun is responsible. - Julia C. While 70% of the guns can be traced to the US, it remains that 100% of the trigger pullers are Caymanians. Blame the shooter. - Anthony M. Address this now, before it gets out of control. The government seems to be aware of the gangs on the island and who they are. Get them the mental and emotional help they need now. Provide the help needed to redirect their focus from violence to being a part of the community. I agree with everyone above. The violence is a root problem, and problems almost always start in the home. (Or sadly, the lack of a home.) - Jennifer A. Never heard of a self-shooting gun. Only in Cayman. - Sarina Jordan The person shooting the gun is responsible. - Deborah Smith Scott Nine accidents every day on Cayman’s roads The road infrastructure needs to change with the rising demand of the vehicles that is on the road. Or remote work where possible should be a law, and public transport should be better facilitated. - Kathy Pombrol If late night buses ran, like normal public transport does, this could be greatly reduced. - soleil.parkinson Y’all can either learn how to drive or just take a bus. I don’t understand your resistance to a bus system. It’s pathologically weird. - caybon30 Just give us access to proper public transport for the love of God. - hayden.345 The amount of near accidents I see on the roads every day is a disgrace. People driving like they are the only ones on the road. Cutting corners, crossing lanes on the roundabout, no indicators and swerving into other lanes without even looking. I am fully convinced that people buy their licence because no way would they have passed, driving the way they do. Police presence on the roads is practically invisible. Even when they are there, they ignore the violators (and I’m talking simple traffic violations like stopping on top of a pedestrian crossing or parking on a double yellow line). -2boys_andamermaid Here comes the sun? Cayman to go fully solar within 20 years= Research needs to be done into these electric cars, more environmentally harmful than gas, expensive, and with flooding in Cayman, not such a wise move. - Charles R Alberga Electric boats? Should be tons of fun.. - dalai_bertram Onshore wind. Plenty of space and trade winds that blow 24/7. - tristramc It’s impossible anyway, because the way “clean energy” is defined is wrong. Solar and wind power is not clean. Not even a bit. You only create emissions elsewhere. - likefastcars_711 Are you sure this is a good investment? After reading the article last week about Cayman looking at Ireland as a place to escape rising sea levels, it may be a better idea to start buying more boats. - Thomas S. If you think energy prices are high now, just wait. Oh, and good luck recycling all the batteries and damage to the Earth from the strip mining for the rare minerals required for your “electricfication”. - Brian H. pic of the day Bobbing booby bird A rare visitor to the Sand Bar in the North Sound, this booby bird recently rivalled the resident stringrays for the attention of nature spotters. Lois Hatcher, who captured this image earlier this month, said the bird swam around as photographers snapped images. “It wasn’t bothered by us at all, until a fellow with flashes on his camera tried to take a picture. It didn’t like the flash.” cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024cayman compass 5 WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky There were a staggering nine accidents every day on Cayman’s roads last year, as driving standards plummeted to new lows. Speeding and drinking appear to be the biggest contributors to the chaos. Traffic cops issued record numbers of speeding tickets and drink-driving surged in a year which saw nine deaths and more than 400 people injured in collisions. Out of 270 people prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol, a third were more than three times over the legal limit, police revealed in their latest crime and traffic statistics. Speeding offences increased by more than 50% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with police issuing 4,654 tickets, according to the latest annual statistics released by the RCIPS. That represents a 52% increase from the 3,063 tickets written the previous year. According to the RCIPS, 10,716 traffic offences were recorded during 2023, an increase of 14%, or 1,279, from the previous year. Police said long, uninterrupted stretches of roadways, such as the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, Linford Pierson Highway, Rex Crighton Boulevard and Hurley Merren Boulevard, are popular locations for speeders. “We deployed a unit specifically in the eastern districts because we were getting complaints about speeding... which immediately saw an increase in prosecutions over the year,” said Police Commissioner Kurt Walton, at a press conference presenting the RCIPS 2023 Crime and Traffic Statistics Report, on Wednesday, 24 April. Rise in crime In addition to the increase in traffic offences, Walton also revealed a 3.9% rise in crime. Civil disputes, public and environmental complaints, false alarms, and call-outs from people in distress or danger, were the leading areas that resulted in an overall 7% increase in requests for service from police by members of the public. According to Walton, his officers had responded to 37,866 incident reports – 2,544 more than in 2022. However, of the tens of thousands of reports from the public, only a fraction were criminal, said Walton, noting, “3,955 crimes were recorded, so that’s a reflection of 10% of all the calls for service”. Atop the list of criminal offences in 2023 were acquisitive crimes, such as thefts, burglaries and robberies, which resulted in 1,469 reports, a 20% increase from the previous year’s report of 1,222 incidents. Domestic violence was the next most prevalent form of crime, with 399 such reports – 22 more than the previous year. Sexual crimes, such as rape, indecent assault, and defilement of a young child, increased by nine compared to the year before, for a total of 89 reports. Gun-related crimes continued to plague the community, with 44 armed robberies reported last year. Crime below pre-pandemic numbers While the annual crime statistics have shown a sustained increase over the past four years, these numbers are still below pre- pandemic levels. According to the data released by the RCIPS, the combined criminal offences of 3,955 for 2023, was still fewer than the 4,124 reported incidents in 2019. “We will continue to take a proactive approach to tackling firearms, whilst working with our partners both locally and regionally to remove illegal firearms and ammunition from the community,” said Walton. Nine accidents every day on Cayman’s roads 2023 offences by type and district BTEEGTNSWBCBLCTotal Speeding1,398 148 2,086 275 556 181 04,644 Driving unlicensed vehicle73183 1,524 93 259 8 0 2,698 Tinted windscreen410454198100604 Expired registration905 286 6 39 11 0 437 Failing to comply with traffic signs/signals60 2 201 11 150 0 0 424 Using mobile phone while driving69 3 247 1 69 2 0 391 DUI39 5 154 5 58 8 1 270 Driving without insurance 27 3 51 3 27 6 0 117 Parking on yellow line34 2 65 0 4 0 0 105 Driving without seat belt 43 5 28 8 13 6 0 103 Other tickets169 19 552 39 131 13 0 923 10,716 The number of traffic offences recorded in 2023 – an increase of 14%, or 1,279, from the previous year. Armed police were routinely called out to address robberies and other gun-related crimes during 2023. – Photo: File Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton This collision on Shamrock Road, which left one person in critical condition, on 21 Nov. 2023, was among the 3,196 motor vehicle accidents recorded by police last year. - Photo: File cayman compass 6 news N news WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Show your support for youth mental health RBC Race for the Kids 2024! Raise funds. Raise awareness. Run for the kids. Did you know that in the Cayman Islands over 10,000 persons under the age of 18 sought mental health services in the last three years? The Alex Panton Foundation creates awareness and provides support for youth with mental health needs. Join us on Sunday, May 19th for the RBC Race for the Kids and help raise funds for the Alex Panton Foundation’s financial assistance program. Every step is a step towards supporting our youth affected by mental health Follow us at RBC Caribbean Register today! cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024jasmine.ky | 945-7447 Dementia Heart failure Lung disease Neurological diseases From heart failure to lung disease, our team can help at any point in your diagnosis - even while you receive treatment. And the best part? Did you know palliative care can help with many different illnesses? This ad was generously sponsored by an anonymous donor. Our services are free for everyone. DANA KAMPA dkampa@compassmedia.ky If all goes according to a developer’s plans, a $95 million, 162-unit, 10-storey apartment block could join the George Town skyline. The Central Planning Authority heard a presentation Wednesday from Legoland Real Estate about its proposal for a new building on Boilers Road, one that would be several times the density of comparable buildings currently in George Town. The project is temporarily on hold, but the developer Eduardo Bernal anticipates bringing it back for consideration in a month. Changing downtown Bernal pitched the project as the type of innovative facility an evolving downtown area needs. He acknowledged the density of the units and said his company wanted to bring relatively affordable apartments to George Town, particularly for young working professionals and small families. It aims to set the monthly rent for the units at about $2,000. The current plans include about 80% one-bedroom units and 20% two-bedroom units, he told the Compass. “I can see potential for George Town to really be used by residents, not just visitors,” he explained to board members. Bernal said one hope for the project is that it will help increase the walkability of George Town for those who live and work in the area, also allowing more people to more easily enjoy sites like Heroes Square. However, one member of the CPA raised concerns about the additional pressure more vehicles would add to the George Town roadways during peak hours. The proposal includes 251 parking spots, and the National Roads Authority said it predicted a “moderate” impact on road capacity issues – which one board member said is unusually high for NRA project assessments. In the zone Authority members drew attention to one potential thorn – zoning policy. While they do have discretion to allow for residential facilities in a ‘general commercial’ zone, there are some conditions. One of those is that no more than 80% of the building can be residences. Some members expressed concern that this plan exceeded the maximum, considering nine of the 10 floors would be apartments, with the first floor dedicated to a reception area and parking. Bernal said a below-ground parking level would count as non-residential. However, some members said the building is 10 storeys regardless. The developer made the point that thousands of cruise ship passengers converge on George Town without making the area feel congested and, by comparison, the few hundred living at the apartment building would likely not have a noticeably negative impact. In fact, they would be bringing a new vibrancy to the area, not to mention an economic boost for nearby businesses. “We would love to keep the density that’s proposed because we think it is the best for George Town,” he told the Compass. “The more Caymanian families and locals can live in George Town, the better they will take advantage of all the wonderful projects that the government has done in George Town.” He said projects in central city areas should be judged individually on their merits, not automatically limited by density regulations. He added that he believes board members see the potential benefits of the proposal but likely want to exercise caution when assessing a new type of project. “I’m very happy they didn’t just shut the door,” he added. The planning board members agreed to adjourn the application, allowing Bernal to consult with the company on what sort of adjustment to the units it would be willing to accept. Bernal said he expects to bring the project back for reconsideration in about a month. 10-storey apartment block proposed for George Town Legoland Real Estate is hoping to build a 10-storey apartment development on Boilers Road in George Town. - Photo: James Whittaker cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024Sponsored content Hot off the grapevine: Jacques Scott’s brand refresh In order for a vine to grow and produce superior grapes, it must be tended with loving care by those with years of experience, often handed down through generations. The same can be said of Jacques Scott, the fine wines and spirits retailer established in 1962, whose strong roots and growth over the years have borne substantial fruit. More than 25 years ago, the company presented its now-instantly familiar logo – a ripe cluster of luscious grapes – forever creating an association with the key ingredient of world-class vintages. Now, in 2024 – much like taking a classic beloved cocktail and putting a fresh new spin on it – managing director of Jacques Scott, Peter Dutton, feels it’s time to mix things up a bit. The logo was recently updated, along with the jacquesscott.com website, in order to elevate the shopping experience for customers and clients. “The JS ‘grapes’ logo has been with us for over 25 years. It has become the very recognisable symbol of our group,” said Dutton. “Like a fine wine, the logo represents excellence, endurance, style and quality. Wines evolve over time. So do we. The grapes are still with us, but we felt it was time to refresh them.” Premier consultancy company BB&P, mindful of Jacques Scott’s history in the Cayman Islands and the importance of its brand, created the more contemporary clustered grapes design, adding ‘1962’ to recognise that the retailer has been trading for more than 60 years. It was Anthony Jacques Scott who saw the potential for such a business back then, and looking at how it is thriving today, he was clearly on to something. Jacques Scott presently employs 133 staff, with three new stores opened in the past five years and a complete revamping of its airport duty- free location. If only the savvy entrepreneur could have foreseen that the more prevalent pronunciation of his chosen name (“Jake Scott”) would, to this day, become a point of lively discussion between horrified Francophones and those who care more about the exceptional range of products on offer, than how you would say it correctly. “He called himself Tony and I think his mother was French,” Dutton recalled. “He would probably have pronounced it more in the French way.” Luckily, a grape by any other name tastes just as sweet. Jacques Scott Cayman@jacquesscottcayman jacquesscott.com Sponsored content Hot off the grapevine: Jacques Scott’s brand refresh In order for a vine to grow and produce superior grapes, it must be tended with loving care by those with years of experience, often handed down through generations. The same can be said of Jacques Scott, the fine wines and spirits retailer established in 1962, whose strong roots and growth over the years have borne substantial fruit. More than 25 years ago, the company presented its now-instantly familiar logo – a ripe cluster of luscious grapes – forever creating an association with the key ingredient of world-class vintages. Now, in 2024 – much like taking a classic beloved cocktail and putting a fresh new spin on it – managing director of Jacques Scott, Peter Dutton, feels it’s time to mix things up a bit. The logo was recently updated, along with the jacquesscott.com website, in order to elevate the shopping experience for customers and clients. “The JS ‘grapes’ logo has been with us for over 25 years. It has become the very recognisable symbol of our group,” said Dutton. “Like a fine wine, the logo represents excellence, endurance, style and quality. Wines evolve over time. So do we. The grapes are still with us, but we felt it was time to refresh them.” Premier consultancy company BB&P, mindful of Jacques Scott’s history in the Cayman Islands and the importance of its brand, created the more contemporary clustered grapes design, adding ‘1962’ to recognise that the retailer has been trading for more than 60 years. It was Anthony Jacques Scott who saw the potential for such a business back then, and looking at how it is thriving today, he was clearly on to something. Jacques Scott presently employs 133 staff, with three new stores opened in the past five years and a complete revamping of its airport duty- free location. If only the savvy entrepreneur could have foreseen that the more prevalent pronunciation of his chosen name (“Jake Scott”) would, to this day, become a point of lively discussion between horrified Francophones and those who care more about the exceptional range of products on offer, than how you would say it correctly. “He called himself Tony and I think his mother was French,” Dutton recalled. “He would probably have pronounced it more in the French way.” Luckily, a grape by any other name tastes just as sweet. Jacques Scott Cayman@jacquesscottcayman jacquesscott.com cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 26 APRIL - 2 MAY 2024Next >