One of removed Church Square benches is back
A BENCH has been returned to the space outside the Town Church, after two were removed in response to reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.
The area was recently declared an alcohol-free zone in a bid to reduce problems.
St Peter Port constable Zoe Lihou said the bench had been returned as a result of public response.
‘We’ve been reviewing in terms of what people were wanting, for people waiting for taxis or lifts, but we didn’t see the need for three or four here. So we’ve listened and we’ve acted.’
The initial removal of the benches received some backlash after Town Church rector the Rev. Matthew Barrett said it put too much focus on the thing that is not the problem.
‘It’s never been about the parish solving substance abuse issues,’ Mrs Lihou said.
‘It wasn’t tolerable and people didn’t want it here.
‘It’s a bottleneck area and people walk through all the time.
‘The alcohol-free zone will be reviewed in January, but the remarks from people have been really positive.’
‘They [the people who used to sit on the benches during the day] just want to have a social scene, and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. We’re just very restricted in the parish as to what we can actually do.’
She added that some of those who previously used to spend time outside the church have now moved on to the bus terminus.
‘People want to be near facilities and they don’t want to be pushed into a corner.
‘Some people have asked how drinking outside the church is any different to the people who drink in the al fresco dining area at Mora because that’s outside too, but the difference is that is a licensed premise.’
There were originally two benches outside the church.
The second has now been placed halfway up Smith Street, by the former post office, which Mrs Lihou said was being well used.
