GUERNSEY goes into 2008 in a positive mood, according to those in the know. Despite much talk of doom and gloom in other economies and communities, business people and entrepreneurs have spoken with enthusiasm about the island’s future.
Earlier this week, leading local financiers said the island was in a better position to deal with any economic slowdown than the UK, while today other local figures declare Guernsey as a super place to work and live.
Restaurant and leisure entrepreneur Ian Walker is extremely optimistic about Guernsey in 2008. ‘It’s always been a good place to live and it gets better every year.
‘Guernsey is on the cusp of doing something very special in financial terms and with investment coming into the island, it’s looking good.
‘We can see from the bookings we are getting for this year that they are phenomenal figures.
‘People are recognising there is investment in the island and they are looking to come back. It’s looking pretty bullish.’
Architect Jamie Falla, who formed his own company, Mooarc, returned to Guernsey from London five years ago.
He said comments people made about it changing for the worse were wide of the mark.
‘It’s an amazing place to bring up children. You can go to the beach in the summer and get home in 10 minutes.
‘We had people who went home to London for Christmas and they’ve come back to the office today and said they’re so pleased to be back in Guernsey. It’s still a wonderful place to live.’
However, he admitted that what some people wanted as homes and living spaces was changing and modernising.
‘From our point of view it’s going very well. There are a lot of people over here who want that open-plan, modern and informal way of living.
‘It’s a challenge for Environment to take on much of this, but we are only reacting to what people want.’
Cycle shop owner Ian Brown said he felt the island had continued on a steady, successful path over the last five years.
‘There is a level of uncertainty about how much people’s pockets will be hit with the new taxation and that’s what they will be worrying about, but generally I feel it’s a good place to be. It’s a nice place for children and it has the infrastructure in place.
‘It’s still an attractive place to come. Even with a one or 2% tax hike, with Guernsey being so close to the UK, I think teachers, accountants and doctors would still feel the island ticked all the right boxes.’
Mr Brown said business at his store had been good in the past three years and he was positive about the future in light of some States’ decisions.
‘I feel people come in and out of cycle buying for different reasons, whether that be for their health or to save money in the long run. And with fuel increases and paid parking coming in, it may well mean more people move into our arena. I don’t feel threatened by the financial climate, I see it as an opportunity.’
Submarine director Neil Inder said he was Guernsey born and bred and would not be looking to go anywhere.
‘As a businessman I’m quite positive about the future of the island although I do have concerns about the on-costs of doing business here and how that may dampen future business leaders’ entrepreneurial spirit.
‘But as a married Guernseyman with two young daughters, there aren’t many places in the Western world where there is still a strong community, it’s five minutes from glorious beaches, there’s a safe environment and you can pop home in your lunch hour.
‘We often focus too much on the negative and forget the positive aspects of our island.’
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