Creasey's boss hits back at criticism of island's retail sector

TONY CREASEY has defended Guernsey's retail sector against claims that it does not meet islanders' needs.

A report commissioned by the Co-op to back its Leale's Yard development said the top and bottom of the clothing market were not fully catered for.

The Creasey's boss (pictured) had seen the report briefly when looking at the Leale's Yard plans.

'They compare Guernsey to towns in the UK all the time but it is not possible simply because we are an island,' he said. 'We cannot grow our market to make it more attractive to the next town.'

'I don't think these people understand just how small the catchment and market is in Guernsey.' He had seen a list of shops the developers suggested bringing to Guernsey.

'There are a lot that have already got a presence here, through shops like mine, and there are others that have been and gone away.' He said 60,000 people could only support so much retail, and doubted huge chains would find enough of a market on the island.

'The bottom end will now also be provided for by Peacocks, which is going into Alliance, and there are other shops that do and have catered for that market,' said Mr Creasey.

'Companies here like Samuel Pepys, Miss Nob and similar shops would be very disappointed to hear it said that the top end of the market was not catered for, and to some extend my own business too – we have a number of top-end brands.'

The outline brief for Leale's Yard development did not show anything like the amount of retail that was now suggested, he said.