Benches will go back in alcohol-free square
BENCHES will be returned to Church Square now that it has become an alcohol-free zone.
They will be reinstated after 'no drinking' signage has been put up in the area.
Businesses in the area have been largely supportive of the move.
Grant Help, who works at Soundtrack, said the decision was definitely a benefit.
‘There would be random fights outside all the time and loud, antisocial behaviour,’ he said.
‘It hasn’t suddenly changed the problem but business in the shop will eventually pick up.’
Ice Guilbert, from Nautilus, agreed the decision had made a difference.
‘People were not confident to walk there but now children will be able to come and sit there.’
Mogz Mountain, from Guernsey Goldsmiths, agreed.
‘There would be some people walking by with their kids – it wasn’t nice for children to see.’
Another business-owner, who did not want to be named, added: ‘It’s a pleasure to come to work now – it was awful before and intimidating at times.
‘There’s a nicer feeling in the square, especially for visitors coming off the pier, as this is the first thing they would see.’
She said she used to receive negative comments about the area from customers ‘all the time’.
‘It’s lovely now, like how it was years and years ago,’ she added.
St Peter Port senior constable Zoe Lihou said the alcohol decision was as a result of public complaints.
‘Moving the benches was never going to solve the issue but raised awareness that there was a problem with the area and we tackled that,’ she said.
‘We have had the opportunity to listen to users of Town and have got raw intelligence from people about how they use the area.’
She was grateful that something had been done about the issue.
‘It’s great how nimble the States have been and they’ve done something worthy – I couldn’t be more pleased.’
Mrs Lihou said the next steps would be offering support to the individuals affected and possibly introducing an inside space for them.
‘Several attempts have been made over the years to accommodate them,’ she said.
‘We need to look holistically at health and mental health. They have all got a different story and different experiences – they’re not bad people and they are a part of our community.’
The new restriction was introduced on Thursday, following complaints about problems in the area.
