UK retailers are keen to look at stores now that borders are opening up

Joanna Watts, of Watts Property Consultants, said there was interest now the borders were opening up as Covid-19 restrictions were eased.

Her firm is currently marketing several vacant retail units in Town, including the former Dorothy Perkins shop.

‘We have got some UK retailers who are quite keen to come over to Guernsey and look at stores over here now that the borders are opening,’ she said.

At this stage, she was unable to say which retailers were interested but confirmed they were well-known brands.

‘It is right across the board. They’ve been wanting to come over for a while but not been able to.’

Miss Watts said that there was an ongoing appeal for the commercial property market in the island. Her company is marketing a number of significant sites.

These include St George’s Hall, on St George’s Esplanade, which is on sale for £950,000.

It has been used as a data centre and offices, but previously featured a ballroom that saw The Rolling Stones play in 1964.

Subject to planning, the agents said alternative uses could include residential, convenience retail, leisure and recreation.

The former Education offices, near the top of the Grange in St Peter Port, is on the market for £1.75m.

Made up of three buildings, Miss Watts said the location was designated as a housing allocation site – with the policies of the Island Development Plan generally supportive of residential redevelopment.

‘Things are beginning to shift. We have got quite a lot under offer at the moment.

'There are some opportunities out there for people and not really a lot of product, which is why I think those assets are attracting attention,’ she added.

‘We are seeing people preferring bricks and mortar, which has always got an intrinsic value compared to equities which has been quite volatile

recently.’