Some businesses unhappy at road closures for the Games
BUSINESSES on event routes have given a mixed reaction to the NatWest Island Games, as they prepare to be affected by road closures.
To accommodate cycling, triathlon, football, half marathon and the opening and closing ceremonies, a number of connecting roads across the island will be closed for anywhere from four to 11 hours throughout Games week, from Saturday 8 to Friday 14 July.
The south-west will be impacted the most with the cycling road race and time trial, and the cycling leg of the triathlon, in St Peter’s, Torteval and St Saviour’s.
The triathlon and road race have the same triangular route, starting along Route de Pleinmont, heading up to the Mallard before going back down to the coast via Route de Longfrie, Route des Adams and Route de Rocquaine.
One business that will be affected by these events is Guernsey Pearl, with extremely limited access on Sunday 9 and Wednesday 12 July.
Owner Andy Ison was critical of organisation.
‘There wasn’t much consultation,’ he said.
‘I just got sent a letter and I keep asking how spectators are going to be able to get to us, but I’ve heard nothing back.
‘Sunday is our biggest day so it’s very annoying to be losing out, the buses aren’t going anywhere near us either. Even when you have the Rocquaine Regatta people are able to get in.’
The Sunday road closures are from 8am to 5.30pm, with Wednesday’s being 8.30am to 2.45pm.
Portelet kiosk manager John Dodd was not sure how he felt about the closures.
‘It could be very good or very bad for us. We have to open and we’ve got staff coming in from nine so I’m not sure how that will work,’ he said.
‘I think it’s nice for the island but it is causing a bit of disruption.’
Venture Inn landlord Quinn Hamon said the Games were not bothering him.
‘We should embrace it because it’s such a positive thing for the island, you can be miserable and moan or be positive and have a good time,’ he said. ‘We’ve invited the countries for an Island Games party on the Sunday.’
Mim Sarre, who has a kiosk at Cobo, will be affected by the cycling time trial, but was fully supportive.
‘Bring on the Island Games,' she said. 'If we need to shut the roads then so be it – I think it’s a great thing for Guernsey.’
She will be taking her Mim’s Kiosk van as well as her new pizza van to the Track, where she also operates the canteen, for the football matches during the week.
. Full information on the closures is available at bit.ly/3qXPJKV
