National Trust’s Cornet Street shop to close for restoration
CHANGES are in the offing at the National Trust of Guernsey’s shop, 26 Cornet Street, and while the options are reviewed and the work is carried out, the shop will be closed.
But trust president Tony Spruce said that it would be open in time for next Christmas.
The trust bought the property in 1976 and after funds were raised for renovations it opened its shop, which sells an array of products.
Perhaps the most popular are the sweets, with old favourites such as Pontefract cakes and Guernsey sweets rubbing shoulders with newcomers such as salted caramel bon-bons.
Mr Spruce said the decision to look at making some changes came about after shop manager of 11 years, Elizabeth Lihou, announced her retirement.
At the same time, volunteer Robin Whicker also said he would be calling it a day.
‘That prompted us to think about what we need to do with regard to refurbishment and making any amendments,’ said Mr Spruce.
Improvements could be made to the whole property, and among the ideas Mr Spruce said could be considered would be making a back-room next to the parlour publicly accessible.
An application has been granted by the Planning Department for a change of use for the upper floors from offices to flats and for the internal alterations to be made to the listed building – with conditions.
The shop has traditionally been open from Tuesday to Saturday between April and October, as well as at Christmas, but Mr Spruce said additional opening times could be considered, although this will depend on finding enough volunteers.
Mr Whicker said the shop had become a popular place for visitors and locals, in no small part due to Ms Lihou’s efforts. ‘Elizabeth is marvellous at creating a really warm welcoming atmosphere in the shop,’ he said.
Ms Lihou said she would miss chatting to all the customers, although at times perhaps she had done rather too much of it: ‘At the end of last year I had such as sore throat, I thought I’d have to go to the doctor,’ she said.
n It is thought that there was almost certainly a shop at 26, Cornet Street, in the middle ages but the current structure is that of a merchant’s house dating back to 1720. The famous shutters are from the Victorian era.
Before the Second World War, the shop sold groceries, but during the Occupation it became a place where people went to barter for various goods.
