This Is Guernsey

SUPERMARKET chain Sandpiper yesterday brought in a digger to remove boulders that had been blocking off a car park used by its customers at Cobo. Operations director Mark Cox said he had tried to negotiate with the site’s new owner and would not be held to ransom over customers using it.

Sandpiper owns the nearby Checkers store and shoppers had been outraged when the obstacles were put in place.

Mr Cox said attempts to negotiate with the car park’s owner, Thomas Holroyd, had been unsuccessful.

‘Despite repeated requests he has not provided us with any information or confirmation that suggests he has a legal right to do what he is doing,’ said Mr Cox.

‘From our point of view it’s affecting our day-to-day business. But it’s not just our business, it’s the effect it’s having on smaller operations which, if this continues, could put them out of business.

‘We are not going to be held to ransom. His aggravated actions have not helped take things forward.

‘Obviously we are very disappointed by the actions of Mr Holroyd who, despite our best efforts to get a way forward, has decided to block off the car park.’

Mrs Kathleen Holroyd, who has a Sark address, sold the land in December to AW Holdings Corp, which is registered overseas, for £50,000.

It includes an area used for boat storage.

Boat owners are unclear whether an agreement put in place with the previous owner still stands.

Cobo Village Centre proprietor Ralph Le Page had no idea the land had been purchased, but he was pleased by Sandpiper’s actions.

‘Hopefully it will stay useable while negotiations take place,’ said Mr Le Page.

‘Obviously we are grateful to the customers and other people in the area that they have remained loyal. Hopefully the problems that appear to be coming to a head over that area can be managed while the car park is useable rather than being blocked up.’

A police spokesman said it was not an issue for the force unless a criminal act, such as a breach of the peace, was committed.

Before the removal of the boulders, the Environment Department had said it had no power to force public parking on private land, but it would work with the parish to explore whatever options existed.

Environment was also looking into whether putting the boulders around the car park constituted a development under the planning law.