This Is Guernsey

By Paul Baker

A SUSSEX hotelier says it’s time for the UK to accept Guernsey currency. Dave Lee from Worthing is fed up with shops and banks refusing to change coins and notes from the Channel Islands.

He explained: ‘I have a rule in my hotel that we’ll always take Guernsey and Jersey currency. The reason I do it is that I go to the Channel Islands on holiday at least once a year so I spend the money when I’m there.

‘It’s surprising how much Channel Islands currency is used in the hotel and I often find a few pounds-worth of coins each time I empty the fruit and cigarette machines.’

He added: ‘I really do think it’s time the UK Government put in place a rule that says that all shops and businesses should take Guernsey and Jersey money and that all banks should accept it as well.

‘After all, we’re all Brits and it would save a lot of people a lot of time and effort if we all worked together.’

Mr Lee, who also has hotels in North Devon and Cambridgeshire, said his appeal was sparked after talking to a Guernseyman who recently stayed in Worthing.

‘We got talking about currency,’ added Mr Lee, ‘and I was amused by a story he told me about when he was at Leeds airport.

‘Apparently he tried to change some Guernsey notes for English ones at the bureau de change and the staff looked at him as if he’d come from Mars.

‘That really isn’t good enough in my opinion and I’ll be writing to my local MP in Sussex to try and put the question of Channel Islands currency on the government agenda.’

The Treasury and Resources Department said it would welcome wider acceptance of Guernsey currency but admitted there were no plans to lobby the UK Government.

‘The island benefits from maintaining its own unique currency both in financial terms and in reinforcing Guernsey’s identity,’ explained a department spokesman.

‘Although a wider acceptance of our currency by UK businesses would be welcome, it is unrealistic to expect the UK Government to amend its currency laws in order to facilitate this.

‘The Treasury and Resources Department currently has no plans to change the existing agreement with the UK, although we will continue to monitor developments.’

Article posted on 9th April, 2007 - 12.00am