Occupation fuel store could become distillery
An Occupation building near Castle Cornet could be converted into a distillery and potentially become a tourist attraction, if a planning application from a local liquor company is successful.
The Channel Islands Liquor Company has proposed using Vivier bunker as its main facility for the production and bottling of its alcohol.
It also plans to use some of the premises for selling and tasting.
The company used to be based at La Bella Luce Hotel, but, following its sale last year, moved the bulk of its production to Jersey.
It has expressed a desire to re-instate its production facility in Guernsey, and has reached an outline agreement with Guernsey Ports for the lease of the bunker.
The company’s application has received support from a number of States bodies due to the potential economic contribution a distillery near Castle Cornet could make to the tourism industry.
In the planning application, a cover letter details how less than half the structure would be used for retail.
‘It is intended that the production will commence as soon as possible with the target being to achieve the commencement of the cruise ship season. It is believed that the location of a distillery in a location such as this will prove to be an attractive additional visitor facility and will contribute towards the visitor economy.’
The company’s products include Wheadon’s Gin and Indica Rum.
The bunker was built by the Nazis during the Second World War to house fuel tanks which were to be sent out around the island.
Since the war it has been used as a storage facility by fishermen, and has been listed as one of six sites that are part of the States’ Seafront Enhancement Area programme.
The planning application can be viewed here
