OPENING of the GIFTLAND OfficeMax Mall at Plantation Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD) has been postponed to October 2013 because construction of this first phase is currently not completed, and management of the complex wants to allow businesses housed there to become fully operational before the complex is officially opened.

This was disclosed by Chief Executive Officer of Giftland OfficeMax, Ian Ramdeo, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
According to Ramdeo, this first phase of construction involves creation of an administrative building that is separate from the main structure, and two wings of the shopping complex in the main structure. The administrative building has actually been completed, while the two wings of the main structure are approximately 90% and 60% completed.
He also said that the mall would be fully air conditioned and would also be accessible to wheelchair users.
Ramdeo said the company has received applications for almost all of the 140 different spots which are exclusive of Giftland OfficeMax’s spot. He noted that a very strict screening process would enable the company to select the best clients, in order to facilitate consumers with an unforgettable shopping experience and to ensure that all the stores operate at the same high standard.
According to Ramdeo, the company is currently in negotiation with a number of persons in order to confirm their suitability to occupy spots in the mall.
He disclosed that, so far, the confirmed businesses include Church’s Chicken, an eight-theatre Ciniplex, Giftland OfficeMax, a pub, playground area, and another fast food franchise that is already committed but whose name he would not disclose.
Ramdeo indicated that the prices of the spots depend on the number of square feet the tenant is taking, as the cost per square foot ranges from US$2 to about US$4. He said that the largest space — 63,000 square feet — would be occupied by Giftland OfficeMax, which would have approximately 800 staff members; while the smallest spaces would be the booths in the walkway, which range in size from 50 square feet to 100 square feet, and would be ideal for businesses such as coffee and juice stands, as well as those which sell items such as accessories.
He said there would also be space for the local tourism industry of Guyana (THAG).
While the working hours haven’t been finalized as yet, the company is trying to cater for the working population, which doesn’t really get the chance to shop or get things done during the regular working day.
The company would also be taking into consideration tenants’ suggestions and expectations, but all the retail concessions would have to operate in compliance with the mall’s operating hours, whereas the other businesses, such as the commercial banks, would have their own working hours.
According to Ramdeo, automated teller machines (ATMs) for all the commercial banks would be installed in the mall, but only one bank would be occupying a spot therein, and negotiations are currently ongoing with the banks to determine which one it would be.
Moreover, there will be a doctor’s office in the mall, as well as sick bays for the tenants and staff members of the various businesses.
The mall will also house 8 state-of-the-art, 3D-capable movie theatres, for which a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed, on 20th September 2012, between the president of Caribbean Cinemas, Robert Carrady, and the president of the Beepat Company, Royston Beepat.
Ramdeo rejected the notion that the recently opened Avinash Entertainment Complex, which when completed would boast six cinemas, will be a threat to this Ciniplex. He deemed this investment a significant one, and said that the Caribbean Cinemas has a wealth of experience in this market, as they operate over 400 screens around the Caribbean.
He said the Caribbean Cinemas would also be offering 3D movies, which would be available in Guyana approximately two weeks after their release worldwide.
Moreover, the Caribbean Cinemas has also committed itself to airing local productions, which according to him is something they do in all the countries in which they operate, as a way of giving back to the producers in that country.
The final cost for the construction of the mall, which began in 2009, is estimated at US$30M, and the project is being financed by GBTI, Citizens Bank, Scotiabank Guyana Limited, and two private investors; along with the standard waivers and concessions from the Guyana Government.
The mall sits on ten acres of land, and the contracted architects and engineers for the project are Marcel Gaskin and Associates Ltd.