Retail strategy launched to help boost sector

EMPLOYING a Town centre manager, cracking down on parking clock offenders, and moving the taxi rank to North Beach are proposals contained in a new retail strategy for the island.

The document, put forward by Commerce and Employment's Guernsey Retail Strategy Group, also recommends provision for new retail developments in Town and improvements to pedestrian linkages between parking areas, its pavements and signage.

Group chair Tony Rowbotham, Montagu Evans Channel Islands managing director, said its members were very positive about Guernsey retail.

'The sector has challenges of course, but that's true of retail the world over,' he said.

'There is a great deal about retail in Guernsey – and central St Peter Port in particular – that is very positive, so the group's approach is based on improving retail for shoppers, retailers themselves and the general island community.'

While encouraging the enhancement of Town and the Bridge, the report has advised against over-development or local centres.