What power this Mr Al Fresco has, to change the face of St Peter Port
DURING my almost 16 years working at the chandlers at the bottom of the Pier Steps we attempted to display anchors, rope and other nautical items for sale outside of the shop, all of which resulted in a swift telling off by the powers of justice.
We were told by members of the local police force, and the traffic wardens, that placing items on the pavement was a breach of the health and safety regulations as they would be a hazard to the blind and partially-sighted members of the public.
Now this Mr Fresco is allowed to place tables, chairs, fencing, fake hedges, planters, shrubs, canopies bedecked with fairy lights, and menu signs all over the public footpaths between the Town Church and the Weighbridge, and he is the greatest man who has breathed a whole new life to the Town front.
You have to ask who this man knows as I would imagine if Mr Al Guernsey tried that in front of his antique shop someone would come down on him like a ton of bricks, and fine the life out of him.
JONATHAN RIVEN