Fontaine Vinery 'Freds in sheds' told to move out
ELEVEN businesses have been given notice that they will be forced to leave the States-owned Fontaine Vinery site.
All of the privately-run businesses have had their annual leases terminated and replaced with one-month rolling contracts, since February this year, ahead of their impending eviction from their compounds – with the States offering its commitment to 'working with existing tenants' to help them find suitable alternative arrangements.
The St Sampson's vinery, which also features a States Works compound, has been formally designated as an area for housing development for the last 20 years, but the States insists there are no current plans to begin development on the land and that 'all options' remain open at this time.
The 11 tenants were warned last year that their temporary compounds would close at the end of this year, but the States has now said that there could be a final extension granted, should affected businesses fail to find alternative sites by next month.
Key talks have been held between officers working for the States committees involved and it is still anticipated that new commercial sites can be found on the island.
