Falmouth’s Artisan Village 90 per cent ready after $700-million investment
Published:Wednesday | January 22, 2020 | 12:32 AMLeon Jackson - Hospitality Jamaica Writer
A $700-million investment by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has transformed the old Hampden Wharf building on Harbour Street in Falmouth into a first of its kind Jamaica Artisan Village.
The village is built on lands leased from the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ).
“The Artisan Village is intended to offer Jamaicans and visitors a unique experience that includes music, food, cultural arts and craft. It will offer Jamaicans with creative abilities an opportunity to connect to the tourism value chain and provide unique products for patrons to take home, “ Dr Carey Wallace, executive director of the TEF, told Hospitality Jamaica.
According to him, handcraft is one of the fastest growing activities and is an integral part of the tourism experience for international tourists.
The village will provide training for craft producers, supporting the development of new designs, and showcasing Jamaica’s unique artisanal products.
Admitting a $35-million overrun on its original budget, Dr Wallace said the village was 90 per cent completed. Within days, he expects to reveal a theme for the facility. “Most likely it will surround rum and sugar. Presently, we are courting artisans who will be available to our tourism guests.”
Welcoming the added value to attractions for cruise ship passengers docking at the busy historic port, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett argued that Falmouth needed attractions to help keep the visitors in the town.
“When visitors spend in the town, the wealth from the guests benefits the people. I am very proud that the Artisan Village has maintained the Georgian architectural integrity for which Falmouth is known throughout the world. It adds to Falmouth’s mystique,” he stated.
The Falmouth Historic District was declared a national monument in 1996. Then it had intact the largest collection of Georgian buildings in the Caribbean.
William Tatham, vice-president of the PAJ, expressed his delight at the transformation of the old Hampden Wharf buildings, which at one time served as a store house for rum and sugar, which was then shipped to markets in England,
He said it further enhanced the presence of the development of Falmouth.
Custos Paul Muschett, an advocate of historical preservation, was also welcoming of the maintenance of the Georgian architecture of the town, stating how pleased he was with how the village had been built.
His only regret, he said, was the fact that they were not able to maintain the original use of the Hampden Wharf.
“The construction represents the only refurbishing of any building in Falmouth, which has maintained the Georgian architecture for which Falmouth is famous. Twenty-one Market Street is one example of which I speak. I feel pain every time I pass by the building,” he noted.
Expressing his hope there will be opportunities to offer leather products to visitors to the village, the custos said worldwide travellers love leather, which has the ability to provide unique designs.