Permission has been granted for a change of use of the ground floor of the building from retail to an art gallery and tourist information centre.
It is hoped that the move could give a real boost to the Market Buildings, which have seen an upturn in activity this summer.
The team looking after the tapestry has welcomed the news, having been frustrated at the lack of progress in finding a new home for the tapestry after it was removed from St James in 2024 after more than 20 years on display. It was hoped for some time it would be found a spot at Castle Cornet, but this idea fell through due to structural issues with the intended room.
‘Everything would indicate that it would be open well in time for next year’s tourist season,’ said Millennium Tapestry Trust chairman Ian Hunter.
The tapestry was currently being looked after by Guernsey Museums, and stored in the same environment as the Renoir paintings.
He said as he understood it, the plan was for five empty bays on either side of the Inner Street to have a panel in each one, where they would be in sealed containers lit by low voltage LED lights.
‘Light levels was one of our concerns, but this will be addressed because it will be reasonably dark.’
Planning officers have commented on how the addition of the tapestry would complement the area.
‘The proposed use of a section of the Inner Street to display artwork, and specifically the Guernsey Tapestry, will maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the main centre,’ they said in granting permission.
‘The proposed alterations are relatively minor and would have no adverse effects on the special interest of the protected building. The proposal would also have no adverse effects on the Conservation Area.’
The tapestry showcases 1,000 years of Guernsey’s history across its 10 panels and was made by 200 local enthusiasts in the run-up to the year 2000.
States Property Unit head of operations Justin Diamond said it was pleased to confirm the tapestry’s new home.
‘We have been working closely with Bailiwick Estates, the building managers, to plan the various enabling works required to display and protect the tapestry,’ he said.
‘Bailiwick Estates have been extremely accommodating, and we are very grateful for their partnership.’
But it was ‘complex work’, he said, and the Property Unit wanted to get this right and make sure the tapestry was displayed and protected to the standard it deserved.
Mr Diamond said the necessary works were expected to begin at the start of 2027 and it was planned for the tapestry to be on public display before next year’s visitor season.
Former deputy Tony Spruce contacted the Guernsey Press following recent national stories about the Bayeux Tapestry being ‘borrowed’ by the UK and going on display to the public in London from today. He said that the Millennium Tapestry was the island’s equivalent.
‘It was an absolute disgrace that our very own Millennium Tapestry has remained hidden from view in some States storage area,’ he said.
‘Our tapestry was completed after a huge community effort. It should be remembered that many islanders spent countless hours of effort to produce a very high quality historic record of island life in stitches.
‘It is our very own Bayeux tapestry.’