Tourists arrive to find our attractions closed
I WAS walking up Hauteville this afternoon (Monday 14 May) and noticed that the National Trust shop was closed. Moving further on up, I saw that Victor Hugo’s house was closed for renovations. My route then took me up Colborne Road, where I observed the Petit Train in situ and not down on Albert Pier.
Can someone please explain to me, with the cruise ship season already upon us, why these local attractions are either closed or not operating? Couldn’t the renovations on Victor Hugo’s house have been done in the winter months? We have a lot of French people/yachties visiting the island throughout the season and some of them come especially to see Victor Hugo’s house. Have they somehow been made aware that it is closed or do they have to find out once they get here?
VANESSA ARCHER,
Seamead,
Jerbourg Road,
St Martin’s,
GY4 6BH.
Editor’s footnote: Tony Spruce, president, National Trust of Guernsey, replies: Your reader’s letter draws attention to a commonplace issue in that, like all other charities, the National Trust of Guernsey has to balance the services it can provide against its available resources.
The opening hours for the trust’s Victorian Shop and Parlour at 26, Cornet Street, on Tuesday to Saturday during the traditional tourist season, have been established for many years and are well-publicised through printed and online media. A notice displayed outside the shop explains that it is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
While the trust would be delighted to expand its current, or to provide additional, facilities, it will only be able to do so if further resources, including financial and volunteer support, can be found. The trust welcomes enquiries from anyone interested in volunteering at 26, Cornet Street, in the hope of being able to open for longer than is currently possible.
The manager of Hauteville House replies: In 2016 the closure of Hauteville House for the year 2018 was officially announced and relayed by the media and the websites of Victor Hugo Museum and Guernsey Information Centre. This closure will allow the achievement of an important renovation campaign on the building and the decor of the house that go beyond the maintenance performed on site each winter.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and are looking forward to welcoming visitors again in 2019.
A spokesperson for The Petit Train replies: The Petit Train operates daily from Easter through to October. Regrettably we were awaiting the arrival of a spare part for the train which has only just arrived.
We look forward to welcoming both locals and visitors alike on the Albert Pier very shortly.