Beekers founder due to retire later in year
A POPULAR character on The Bridge is preparing to retire this autumn.
Brian Le Prevost will be 80 on 30 September – the same day that the lease on his shop Beekers ends.
Mr Le Prevost founded Beekers with Brian Duquemin and Shane Le Prevost in 1975 and currently runs it with wife, Jan.
‘My wife has made it clear that I must retire now and take a rest,’ he said.
The business will remain open for the time being and Mr Le Prevost said he would like to sell it as a going concern.
‘I might retire before September and it depends on what happens in the interim,’ he said.
For some 30 years, Beekers traded from the French Halles in Market Square.
When the States sold the lease on the Market buildings it moved to Mill Street where it stayed for about 18 months. It opened on the Bridge in October 2006.
‘We’ve always tried to maintain a competitive pricing policy which is what people like, especially the older ones,’ said Mr Le Prevost.
‘We have a loyal customer base and people drive to us from Torteval.’
Many children knew it as ‘the yellow shop’ because of its paint job.
Mr Le Prevost said he was also lucky to have such loyal staff. His wife ran the shop with Angeline Bowring and Avril Renouf who had worked there for about 10 years.
Jen Anderson, who seemed to know everyone, helped out part-time and amused customers with her stories.
‘I’m the fetch and carrier. I make the tea and coffee and pay the bills,’ said Mr Le Prevost.
He said he would miss Beekers greatly as it had been such a big part of his life for 45 years. The shop sells greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationery and gift bags among other things. There were a lot of items in a small shop, he said.
Mr Le Prevost was also involved with the Cobo Market which ran from Cobo Air Rifle Club, the North Social Club and what is now Crabby Jacks for about 10 years from 1980.
