Canadian agency makes Douglas choice

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The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) has completed the selection process in the tender to operate duty-free at the Douglas border crossing

The agency has chosen a winner from five applications received, and is awaiting approval of the result from the country's minister of national revenue Elinor Caplan. The winning operator will then be given 90 days to secure an agreement with the landowner.

The prime site, owned by the Semiahmoo First Nation band, is being contested by two distributors seeking to make their first move into border retail, Beler Holdings and Canadian Duty Free Group (to trade as Peace Arch Duty Free). Also submitting an application was West Coast Duty Free, headed by Gary Holowaychuk.

CCRA manager duty-free shop programme Mike McCann told TRW: "We've completed the review of applications and the scoring has been done. We're expecting confirmation from the minister shortly and will announce the winner as soon as the company has finalised its deed arrangement with the landlord."