‘Jewel in the crown’ of St Peter Port needs a polish
JANUARY is a quiet month for retail in the post-Christmas lull, but more could be done to encourage islanders to Town, according to local retailers.
‘Retail seems to be struggling in general,’ said Annette Bessin, owner of Pure Boutique in Mill Street.
‘It’s not what it used to be and, although online shopping might be something to do with it, I think there is more that could be done to encourage people further out in Town than just the High Street.’
She said although some customers still enjoyed the human contact in a shop or boutique, many obstacles get in the way.
‘There could be more parking or longer parking to give people the chance to have a proper wander, or even making some of the shops look more appealing.
‘It could be the economic climate at the moment, it might still get worse – I think this could just be the beginning.’
Nautilus owner Matt Cable said although there is a quiet period for retailers in January, it’s the next three months, if they are quiet, which are more likely to see the closure of a shop.
‘I’ve been working in retail since 1991 and the industry caught fire in the early 2000s when customers had disposable income and were excited about what was in the shops.
‘I’m not sure if there is still as much disposable income or if people are just spending their money on different things.’
He said that while St Peter Port is the jewel in Guernsey’s crown, it needed polishing and people needed more of a reason to go to Town.
‘Sunday trading and late night shopping don’t make enough of a difference, Jersey tried it.
‘If there was some magic solution I would be doing it, or pushing for it,’ he said. ‘But there isn’t.’
Many shop owners agreed summer is the busiest time, with cruise ships routinely bringing in visitors.
Angela Edward, owner of Mahogany in Mill Street, said: ‘I do very well with the cruise ships in, anything that encourages people in and encourages them to have a look up the street is a good idea but the problem is nowadays there’s not much up here.’
Swarovski proprietor Paula Williams agreed and said after Christmas things quietened down.
‘In the 10 years I’ve worked in retail in Guernsey, I have noticed Town get a lot quieter.
‘I think parking is part of the problem, there is a limited variety of shops and not so many reasons for people to come in any more.’
Ms Williams would like to see something that draws more islanders to Commercial Arcade as well as the High Street.
