Guernsey Press

Old Quarter businesses have their own revitalisation ideas

OLD QUARTER businesses have their own ideas as to how to revitalise the area, some in agreement with those of Economic Development president Charles Parkinson have said.

Published
Ayrton Hockaday, the owner of new Mill Street business Purpul Gifts, is hoping to buck the trend by opening his shop there, but said there wasn’t much incentive for people to go to the area. He hopes more small businesses like his might change that. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 24136960)

Deputy Parkinson has suggested revitalising the area through multi-use buildings and small independent businesses and said that the area could have a brighter future as a mixed-use district, including hospitality, residential and retail.

However, all those involved had to recognise the need for infrastructure changes to begin the process.

‘An area like Mill Street and Mansell Street, where we see a lot of closed shops, I suspect doesn’t have a future as just a retail district. I think what needs to happen in that area is, first of all, the parking issues need to be sorted out,’ said Deputy Parkinson.

Frank Robinson, the manager of Contree Mansell Stores, stressed the need for parking.

‘It’s all well and good opening up new businesses but there’s no footfall. They just demolished some buildings on La Charroterie, the best thing they could do is build a multi-storey car park so people have got easy access.

‘It’s frustrating because people just won’t park on the pier and walk up here, so in the end, they just don’t bother.’

Loop owner Richard Corcoran (24136962)

Loop owner Richard Corcoran believes mixed-use buildings and owner-operated businesses are a key part of the regeneration.

‘Multi-use buildings are very useful. This building here is owned by us and we’ve been here 18 years – all of the flats and offices in our building are in use too. In fact, all of the core businesses on the street own their building and you will find the majority of those fully utilised.’

Mr Corcoran agrees infrastructure changes would breathe life back into the Old Quarter.

‘While parking solutions would be of great help, there are cost effective ways to make improvements. I would completely pedestrianise the Old Quarter, like they have done in Covent Garden or Brighton Lanes. You can do that with those automated bollards which only cost around £400 to install.

‘Also create areas for seating. In the summer you see cruise passengers, especially elderly visitors, who want to experience the area but can’t rest. If we put our focus on the summer, as soon as the first cruise ship docks, that will be a better focus of energy, all of Town is quiet at this time of year.’

However owner of, newly-opened Purpul Gifts, Ayrton Hockaday, thinks that any conversion of retail space to residential would be a negative.

‘I understand that rents aren’t cheap, but nothing is cheap over here really. Anywhere that could be used for retail and isn’t, well that’s a loss of opportunity.

‘By opening up, about a week ago, I’m trying to buck the trend, but to be honest there isn’t much incentive for people to start coming up here [Mill Street].

‘What will make this area better is independent businesses and accessibility so we can get the footfall.’