Sea cadets on brink as Chinese junk plans stall

The Arts and Islands Foundation, which is behind a major scheme to build a Chinese junk and convert the former slaughterhouse into an art gallery, has confirmed that work will not begin this year as it is continuing to seek more funding.

News of the building's vacant state has further frustrated the soon-to-be-homeless Guernsey Sea Cadets which could be forced to disband if new headquarters are not secured.

Lieutenant Paul Mooney, commanding officer of the local unit, TS Sarnia, said it had held positive talks with the foundation over the possibility of sharing the facility, but that the arts body returned to say the move had been vetoed by the States, which owns the building.

This has been denied by Treasury and Resources, which claimed States Property Services never blocked the dual use of the slaughterhouse, but said it was questionable whether it was big enough for both entities.

It said the cadets had been offered another site, but Lt Mooney said the only offer on the table, as far as he was aware, was for its current temporary home, which it had to leave in March.

Lt Mooney said the future of the group was now under serious threat – all whilst the slaughterhouse remains closed and providing no rent.

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