‘We’re Not Fighting the Move’, Says Tony’s BBQ

Tony’s BBQ says it never refused to move from its long-time spot near the BelCan Bridge in Belize City. The popular roadside business says it is ready to relocate, but not without clear answers from government.

Co-owner Sarah Beck said the business wrote to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) after receiving conflicting timelines during a meeting called on short notice last week.

“We agreed to relocate,” Beck said. “The problem was never about relocating. It’s about assistance and about the clarification and the transparency as to what exactly and when, because they keep giving us different things… They keep giving us different things. Every so often there’s a different thing. Yes, you can move. You don’t have to move.”

According to Beck, the confusion began after a meeting with MIDH and Belize City Council officials. She says those present told the business it would likely have until November, or even early next year, before needing to move because construction on the new BelCan Bridge would not begin immediately.

But she says officials then presented a document requiring Tony’s to vacate within thirty days.

“So I decided not to sign,” Beck added. “If you sign something that says something different, then written paper values more than what comes out of someone’s mouth.”

Beck says she later wrote to MIDH seeking clarification on the timeline and the reasons for the relocation. MIDH later confirmed in writing that the business must relocate by August 15th.

Beck disputed Chief Engineer Evondale Moody’s earlier characterisation that the business lacked proper permission to operate. She said the City Council approved the original structure and that Tony’s has paid $1,200 annually in fees and rent since it was built. “We pay our dues,” she said.

The relocation site identified by MIDH, across the roundabout near Cleopatra, presents its own problems, accoridng to Beck. The space does not fit the building; it sits beside a hospital where grilling smoke could draw complaints and falls along a pedestrian crosswalk.

The area is also designated green space, which Beck said conflicts with running a food business there.

Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner has since called her directly and committed to working through the issues with the council and works department.

Beck says dismantling and relocating the structure is bound to happen. A further meeting with the mayor is expected next week.