Policy & Resources Committee president Lindsay de Sausmarez told Deputy John Gollop that she was keen to see the development of the site inject some positivity into the area and was aware that several retailers felt the same.
‘Obviously the Bridge is still doing very well but where retail has been in decline in that area has largely been as a result of the inactivity and the stagnation of this [Leale's Yard] site,’ she said.
‘My understanding of those retailers personally is that they’re very, very much looking forward to investment in the area, and not before time I might add.
‘It’s been over a quarter of a century, and it really has been an albatross around that area, which really has created a sense of stagnation.
‘I think the fact that we are visibly investing in it will be a shot in the arm for the area.’
Deputy de Sausmarez said that further updates on the site would be given soon.
Deputy Ross Le Brun also asked in the States if greater efforts would be made to use local labour on the site, Deputy de Sausmarez said that was a key issue in the considerations of the political oversight group.
Discussions had taken place with the local construction industry which, she said, had welcomed the political encouragement outlined for the use of local labour and sub-contractors, although such a significant development was inevitably going to use some off-island expertise.