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Brexit Baracking BARACK Obama has warned a crucial American trade deal with the UK could take a decade to arrange in the event of a Brexit. In a boost to the In campaign, the US president claimed the UK would be ‘at the back of the queue’ for trade deals with Washington. On a three-day visit to Britain, he also defended his right to voice an opinion on the June 23 referendum. “It could be five years from now, 10 years from now before we’re actually able to get something done,” said Obama. “I don’t anticipate that anything I’ve said will change the position of those who are leading the campaigns in one direction or the other. “But for ordinary voters I thought it would be relevant to hear what the president of the United States, who loves the British people and cares deeply about this relationship, has to say.”
Jobs safe at BHS EXCLUSIVE NO jobs will be lost in Gibraltar, after huge British retailer BHS went into administration. Both BHS stores will remain ‘open as normal’ despite the UK company set to shed 11,000 jobs. “We are going to be trading as normal and there will be no job losses in Gibraltar,” IFL director George Russo told the Olive Press. BHS has been run by International Franchises Limited (IFL) for 30 years on the Rock “We will be trading as usual and our opening hours will be the same,” Russo said. BHS owner Dominic Chappell told staff in the UK that the retailer would go into administration this week with the closure of 164 stores.
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Vol. 1 Issue 17
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Barclays bashed THE government has slammed Barclays as a ‘failure’ after the bank announced it is pulling out of Gibraltar. In a strongly worded statement, the government insisted the bank had ‘let down’ employees. “Barclays is principally letting them [the workers] and their families down after many of them will have decided or been forced to stay with the bank at the time of its withdrawal from the retail banking sector in Gibraltar,” it said.
Vital
Hands off! WE WILL FIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES: Idyllic Catalan Bay and (inset) disgruntled Jackson
HUNDREDS of Gibraltar residents are battling plans for 24 new apartments in the heart of Catalan Bay. Nearly a thousand people have signed a petition to oppose two proposals put forward to knock down the historic buildings. They are concerned that four storeys of flats with terrace extensions are to be built on the site, known locally as The Village Inn, as well as an adjacent, dilapidated cottage. The Save Catalan Bay Village From the Developers petition on Change.org has so far gained 952 signatures.
Catalan Bay residents fight back against development plans that would ‘ruin character’ of historic village EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan
Catalan Bay resident Mike Jackson started the petition and insists the new buildings would ruin the area’s charm. “I think they will spoil the village and take away something
of its magic,” expat Jackson, 50, told the Olive Press. “This is a very unique place that should be protected. There is not much left of the village’s history, but the narrative is still there where you can see the connection to the old fishing village. You don’t want to lose that.
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“The developers seem detached and on another planet. Why just wipe away these echoes of history and put up these modern apartments?” Lifelong resident Gerald Lopez added: “It’s going to spoil the character of the place. “We live a very quiet life here, and for somebody to come here just to earn money and spoil our lives here, I won’t stand it.” The part-time boatmaker continued: “We are not objecting to the buildings being fixed, but in a more tasteful way.” Town planning notices at the site name Catalan Tropical Limited and AKS Architects and Engineers as the companies applying for planning permission, although AKS insists it is not the developer. A spokesman refused to comment further. Both applications are scheduled to be considered by Gibraltar’s Development and Planning Commission on May 24. “We are not against change, but the petition has shown people have a great affection for the place,” said Mr Jackson, 50. “A development, if done correctly, could enhance the place and make it even more exciting for tourists and locals. “It’s these old buildings that give Catalan Bay a flavour and make it special.”
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Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has now pledged to work hard to find all 16 employees jobs, alongside local trade union Unite. "We care about the Barclays employees who didn't take or were not allowed to take redundancy packages two years ago,” he said. Barclays insisted it would continue to service its customers in Gibraltar from the UK, describing the move as part of ‘a continuing drive for simplification’. However local Unite representative Dominick Hook said: “If Barclays proceeds with this plan Gibraltar’s residents and businesses will be left high and dry. “The loss of vital experience and specialist knowledge built up by local staff over many years simply cannot be replicated remotely from London.”