St James grateful but future is still uncertain
THERE is still uncertainty about the long-term future of St James, despite Education, Sport & Culture proposing funding of more than £150,000 to keep the community and entertainment centre running for the next 12 months.
ESC submitted an amendment to next year’s Budget – being debated this week – to try and secure extra money for the venue after its director Jon Bisson warned it would close next year without it.
This was withdrawn after P&R approved that some coming from the States budget reserve for next year.
Mr Bisson said that he and his staff were grateful for the intervention, and that the money would guarantee short-term stability.
‘We did pitch as low as we possibly could, and we will stretch it as far as we can go,’ he said.
‘For the existing team, we all have mortgages and children, and if you’re not sure you’re going to get your next pay cheque it’s concerning, especially when booking acts. It’s a little scary to put my name on a contract if I’m not sure we are going to be open or can afford to pay.’
Mr Bisson said he was keen to work with ESC on securing the venue's future, and was optimistic that the committee would be impressed by the venue's accounts.
'Our board and our council keep a really tight control on what we do.
'Our fixed expenses were the same as they were in 2017, so we run incredibly light.’
However, he admitted a long-term solution for the venue was still uncertain.
‘Until the Budget debate has finished and until we see the make-up of the new States in 2025, we won’t really know what direction to push in.
‘ESC and Policy & Resources are very busy, they’ve got schools to build and things to do.’
He was, however, confident that St James represented ‘great’ value for money, and was hopeful that finances could be secured to allow plans for the venue to be made three years in advance.
He said this could include the reinstatement of inflation-linked funding for the venue.
‘I think the States would have voted in favour of such an increase, and I think that now it’s a matter of fine-tuning the package that we end up with from 2026.’
Among the items at the top of the venue’s to-do list is to bring extra staff on board, and Mr Bisson hoped that one or two additional personnel could be recruited soon.
But he said that having to explain to prospective employees that there was still no guarantee of the venue’s future beyond 2025 would present a challenge.
‘Maybe if St James can continue to evolve, and what we do downstairs with [young musician charity] Sound continues, then actually the picture for 2026 is different than it was for 2025.’
‘I want to look taxpayers in the eye and go “I’m using your money correctly, and any scrutiny that comes our way will illustrate that”.’
