'Risky' launch of Condor remembered

Condor, a company launched by local businessmen Peter Dorey and Jack Norman, started operations with hydrofoil services to France in 1964.

Neither family are involved in the business today, but Mr Norman's son Geoff, a former deputy and president of the Tourist Board, said that the project had been 'revolutionary' and 'unheard of'.

'It's been a great story ever since and it's had quite an impact on people's idea of travel to and from the islands,' he said.

Mr Dorey's son Rupert said that Condor had proved to be 'a great business that's evolved over time'.

His father died in 1979 and the family sold its two-thirds stake in the business three years later. The Normans exited the Condor business some 12 years ago, and it now has private equity owners.

'The way things have moved Condor couldn't have stayed in family hands,' said Mr Dorey. 'It wouldn't be anything like it is today, you just wouldn't have access to the funding to make the necessary investment.'

Mr Dorey said that the business endured some tough times in its early days before it started to become profitable.

'It was a ballsy, risky thing to do to start the business in the first place in 1964, with no guarantees of success. It was very innovative at the time but it wasn't even clear whether the local waters would suit the hydrofoil boat, and there were problems to overcome.

'It made losses for two or three years but then they rolled the dice, decided to double up the service and buy another boat, it was one huge risk but it paid off.'