‘Open up borders to save our construction industry’
GUERNSEY’S construction industry is at full capacity and suffering from staff shortages as demand has picked up since lockdown ended.
The industry said that confidence was returning for larger projects and small domestic works and it expects government spending on infrastructure to increase soon.
But such demand means that the firms are keen for border controls to be relaxed and construction workers to be brought in to the island.
‘We are extremely busy at the moment and we need more construction workers in the short term through a relaxation of the borders,’ said John Bampkin, Guernsey Construction Forum chairman.
Gavin Rihoy, managing director of Rihoy & Son, one of Guernsey’s largest building firms, agreed that the industry would struggle to meet demand without help.
‘Guernsey needs to open its borders to allow supply chain access to the UK market. Without that, the finite resource that is Guernsey’s supply chain will not cope.
‘Guernsey has the skill base to cope with increased demand in all sectors but, with borders closed, it limits capacity.’
Mr Bampkin said that the forum was aware of the need to enhance on-island capabilities through more training and development of the workforce.
He added that many contractors were fully booked for months, but that and the two-month lockdown earlier this year was creating financial and cash-flow pressures for large and small businesses.
‘We are all a long way behind any normal years in terms of profitability and financial performance.’
Mr Rihoy said the local construction industry was currently at total capacity, with noticeably more domestic and commercial enquiries being received.
‘On the domestic front, it’s a result of the upturn in the housing market.
‘Agents are reporting demand fast outstripping supply.
‘Banks’ increased appetite for lending, increased population due to the lockdowns, and domestic breakups are all fuelling this market.’
He said that the island’s ‘open for business’ message was working.
‘Tenants have demonstrated they are prepared to sign up for long leases, fuelling the commercial market.
‘This gives developers and landlords the confidence to invest, rebuild and refurbish.’
While that was good news for the industry and the economy, Mr Rihoy said it was critical to avoid burn-out.
