‘Alderney could be new Amsterdam if Guernsey States got its act together’

Peter Ferbrache was joined by Deputy Chris Blin on a visit which saw them discussing issues of importance both to Alderney alone and to both islands.

Alderney businesswoman Sue Hobson, who runs CBD Oils, made an impassioned plea for Guernsey’s States to get moving on the question of tariffs and taxes on cannabis oil exports to the UK and into Europe.

Having an established production hydroponic production facility, she said had been waiting for many months to sell her product.

She said she had an order on the books from Poland worth £50m. and that could mean a huge benefit to the island’s economic development for the local tax it could generate: ‘Alderney could be the new Amsterdam,’ she told the deputies. ‘All we are waiting for is for Guernsey to get its act together.’

The long-running issue of air transport was raised, with people speaking about the island’s ‘lifeline’ route to Southampton and the possibility of bigger planes flying in if the runway was extended. It is already planned for it to have improvements carried out.

About 60 residents attended including Senator John Young from Jersey, a second home owner.

The Guernsey politicians were praised by Alderney States President William Tate for their honest, down-to-earth approach, which he said would herald a new era in Bailiwick relationships.

The deputies were also guests at The Blonde Hedgehog Hotel at the inaugural luncheon of the newly-founded Alderney branch of the international JLR Privee Private Members’ Club.

Deputy Ferbrache and Mr Tate both gave speeches.

Also speaking was Health Connections’ chief executive Bella Farrell, who spoke about the charity’s work and its support network across Guernsey.

She said its mission was to enable all people in the Bailiwick – and that will include Alderney – to be connected to support and information to live happier, healthy and more fulfilling lives.