Aquarium tunnels to be a hub for sea activities

The tunnels at La Vallette hosted the tourist attraction until 2019, but they have been closed since then while the damaged steps up to Clarence Battery are repaired.

But as that work draws to a close this autumn, States Property Unit has confirmed commercial discussions have been held with three parties, which could potentially each occupy one of the three tunnels that make up the site.

‘An agreement has been concluded with one of parties, while discussions with the other two are ongoing,’ a spokesman said.

The Sports Commission has taken over a yearly lease of one of the tunnels and is due to move in to the structure once work on the step repair project finishes at the end of September.

Another group hoping to acquire a lease is Guernsey Seaweed, which is looking to revitalise the tunnels and equipment left over from 2019 as a seaweed research and development office.

The commission is set to re-purpose the area into a storage facility for all of its water sports equipment – something relationship director Steve Sharman is hoping will double as a hub for water-based activities and instruction about water safety, due to its proximity with the Bathing Pools.

‘This will be a focal point for water sports and a village of shared experiences for everyone in the island,’ Mr Sharman said.

‘We are hoping to bring some vibrancy back to the area and we want to continue to repurpose unused environments around Guernsey,’ he said.

All the commission’s water-based equipment, including 30 to 40 paddle boards, kayaks and lifejackets, have been stored on the front lawn of Alan Jenner, its outdoor adventure and aquatics development officer, for the past couple of years.

‘The island has definitely been more engaged with the water since Covid, and so we want this to be a community that we can contribute to,’ Mr Sharman added.

Mr Sharman was also involved with the Vive La Vallette project, which regenerated the Bathing Pools facilities five years ago, and said he was excited for the future of the area as other businesses joined.

Guernsey Seaweed has not yet signed a lease for a tunnel, but founder Ben Tustin hoped it could conduct research there.

The business was founded in 2018 and now hosts foraging tours and sells products made with seaweed, like soap and shampoo.

‘We are hoping to force spawn specific types of seaweed, particularly red seaweed, and grow seedlings in an entirely controlled environment with the view to researching seaweed plastics,’ he said.

‘There is insufficient research at the moment and we are working with universities and a local microbiologist to make 100% seaweed plastics – we would like Guernsey to become a European hub for these research concepts.’

Mr Tustin has previously managed to make 100% seaweed cellophane and said he could make plastics from the natural resource for less than £3, compared to a German company which has invested 100m. euros to create plastic with 30% seaweed.