Give retail a fighting chance

Jersey, meanwhile, has senior politicians ‘appealing to property owners, suggesting to them that they are best serving the island if they get businesses trading from premises’.

Very different approaches, but it feels like both islands are struggling in the battle to revitalise shopping areas.

St Helier has seen a 24% drop in foot traffic between August 2019 and August 2023 – that equates to about 250,000 fewer people in the island’s main shopping streets. It would surprise few if Guernsey's footfall was similar.

Completing the Retail Group's survey is interesting, making you reflect on the retail and social offer that our commercial centres have, or don’t have. You probably don’t go to the Bridge to go window shopping. But it has a place. It’s a different feeling in St Peter Port. But what could be improved?

The prospects for these places largely start with the shopper. Those who take great joy on social media proclaiming that they never go to town and always shop online are the problem, not our retailers and hospitality venues.

This survey forces us to consider what could be better, but also what we actually like in town. Makes us realise that it’s a tough industry – but it still has an important place in our island.