We feel the effect of loss of parking – restaurateur
Are cruise ships good or bad for the island? Emily Abreu spoke to people in various businesses to find out what they think particularly the vexed question of taking away parking on the Albert Pier when bigger ships with thousands of passengers are here
PARKING concerns have been raised following the closure of Albert Pier to make way for cruise liner passengers.
This season, parking on the pier will be suspended for 11 full days and until 3pm on a further 10.
Changes in business were already noticeable when the pier shut, according to Sam Jarold, owner of Hook and new Japanese takeaway Fukku, which is located in the Arcade.
‘On the days where the pier is closed, we have people arriving and saying they can’t wait 15 minutes for food because it has taken them 20 minutes in Town looking for parking,’ he said.
‘It’s the same with retail in Town if you’re not the type of business which would attract cruise ship passengers – they are going to feel the effect of losing 100 parking spaces.’
He said islanders wanting to visit Town in an hour-long lunch break would be impacted.
‘It rules out the option of people popping into Town for lunch.
‘The demand to have coaches there all at once isn’t needed. Passengers only come in smaller sections on tenders and not everyone comes on shore.’
Economic Development has said the pier will shut on days when larger ships or a combination of ships visit, as passenger numbers will often be 3,000 or more.
‘The visits by these ships bring large numbers of people into St Peter Port, our main commercial centre,’ a spokesman said.
‘By using the full pier, we are also provide a safe and practical space for local businesses, including tour-coach operators, activity providers, taxis, tuk-tuks and the Petit Train to collect and drop off customers and transport to other hospitality and retail businesses around island, so they can also benefit and so visitors can experience more of what the island has to offer.’
He said the States worked closely with the Guernsey Tourism Partnership to facilitate the return of cruise ships including six visiting for the first time.
‘Many businesses reported feeling the loss in trade from cruise passengers during the pandemic when ships were unable to visit.
‘As the Guernsey Press reported on its front page, the return of cruise visitors has been hugely welcomed by businesses in retail, tourism and hospitality.’
Four of the pier closures are on a Sunday, and closing the pier is in line with previous seasons. This season will end in October.
Parking loss is perception, not reality – Coachways MD
ISLAND Coachways managing director Hannah Beacom said closing the pier was necessary.
‘The space is needed to queue returning passengers safely as they wait for their tenders – on the busiest of days, these guests will fill the pier.’
She said the same tour-providing vehicle could be rotating up to three times during the day due to high demand.
‘The pier acts as a hub for anyone offering services direct to this market,’ she added.
‘The cruise liner guests bring significant business for tourism-focused businesses like ourselves and walk-in trade for Town and to the rest of the island.’
Parking problems were not as bad as people believed, she said.
‘I do appreciate that retailers reliant on local trade may suffer on cruise liner days. However, I believe this is due to a perception of lack of parking rather than due to the actual availability of parking.
‘I am concerned that local businesses are suffering as local shoppers believe that there is not parking available when in fact there is.’
Conversations surrounding these issues are underway.
‘The Guernsey Tourism Partnership have started to work closely with the Guernsey Retail Group to address these issues and exchange ideas to generate more business into the island from these guests,’ Mrs Beacom said.
