The doors of Cuddy'z, one of New Kingston's entertainment hot spot, will remain open despite yesterday operation by representatives of the Tax Administration Department.

About 2 p.m., personnel from the tax agency swooped down on the Dominica Drive business, which was abuzz with the afternoon crowd watching sports and dining.

unpaid since 2006

The aim was to recover $40 million in taxes that the department claims is unpaid since 2006. It is said, however, that after a meeting, $3 million was paid to the collectors and the venue allowed to remain open, while the operators are expected to regularise the tax compliance operations.

Manager of the establishment, Giselle Waddle, said after the incident: "The problem is being dealt with and I do not want to comment further.''

When Merris Haughton from the Tax Administration Department was contacted, she agreed with the manager and further said: "... If the persons make arrangement or act in good faith and show that they are willing to regularise, then they are given a chance to do so, as we are not in the business of just closing down.''