This design by German architect Justin Schnoeckelborg won the popular vote. A total of 242 people balloted after visiting a display in the Markets. The design will be put to Environment to see if it will give permission for it to be built.
A BUSINESSMAN behind the design competition for a new headquarters for the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club believes a ‘vociferous minority’ are strangling the tourist industry.
‘We have one key industry in Guernsey – finance. What happens if this was to suddenly fall away? Would the vocal minority be happy to go back to packing tomatoes and growing potatoes? I think not,’ said Peter Kaufman Kent yesterday.
‘In Jersey we have stood up to be counted by investing £45m. in the new four-star Radisson Hotel which has resulted in raising hotel standards across the board for Jersey Tourism and helping promote the island as a whole,’ he said.
He claimed there was a positive way forward for tourism, but was concerned that too many Guernsey people were keeping their heads down when it came to discussing its future.
‘What we need is an open debate on how we intend to take our tourism industry forward,’ he said.
‘Which one of our new politicians is going to stand up and say that there is no future for tourism?
‘We have an industry on the decline but rarely do I see anyone in the States attempting to address this.’
Mr Kaufman Kent, managing director of Guernsey-based Ironbridge Estates and who lives in the island, said tourism was a vital part of the economy.
He said that very few people were actively promoting it and he felt those who were did not get the support they should.
‘There is a lot of support for a new clubhouse on the Crown Pier but, yet again, what we have seen is the vocal minority mounting a negative campaign against progressing our tourist industry.
‘That same minority campaigned against the St Sampson’s Marina project, but I don’t see too many complaining now.’
Mr Kaufman Kent said he was keen to make a positive contribution to the eastern seaboard debate and he believed the clubhouse project had helped bring this into the open.
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7 Article Comments
As one of the “Vociferous Minority” which I very much doubt I am, I would like to say to Mr. Kaufman Kent if you are proud at what you have done to the Waterfront in Jersey then please make sure you stay well away from Guernsey. If the design that was voted for by 242 people in Guernsey gets IDC permission it will be an absolute disgrace. No structure should be put up on the Crown Pier that dominates what is already there and blocks out in any way any of the wonderful view. I shudder everytime I have the misfortune to drive past the Waterfront in Jersey. What a missed opportunity to do something to enhance St. Helier.
A ‘vociferous Minority’ killing tourism. So, what’s new?
Judy, excellent comment.
As someone who likes to spend my hard earned cash on holiday, I can assure Mr.Kaufman Kent that I have never chosen destinations with swanky modern architecture and nor for that matter do many people. In fact before Mr.KK criticises people who care for the island they love, maybe he would like to declare how much money he would stand to make out of the proposed development.
What is the link between “a vociferous minority killing tourisum” in Guernsey’ and a new club house for the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club, none!. It is only the usual ploy to brand those who oppose the plans as negative people who are just luddites wereas they are just Guernsey people who just don’t want to see another part of their island home ruined by so-called progress.
I worked at the Victoria Marina for 22 years and know that the majority of visitng yachts people of all nationalities thought it the most picturesque marina. Building the Royal Channels new club house where it is proposed will only detract from the present abience of the marina.
The Victoria Marina hasn’t been adversly effected by not having a Royal Channel club house there in the past so why should it be in the future. Scaremongering to try and get his own way thats all it is.
As a Guernseyman living on the Continent and holidaying in many places around the world I can assure you that until you get prices under control the holiday theme for Guernsey will not work.Guernsey’s a lovely place,I have brought with me on occasions Continentals who liked it too,but all said it was too expensive.A year ago the Pound was worth Euro 1.50,today Euro 1.20,and the pound declines daily!And you could not go back to growing tomatoes,if the worst happened,as those tomatoes could not compete on the worlds markets!
The “Vociferous minority” isn’t killing tourism, but poor facilities and amateur advertising are making it sick. They are not solely to blame though.
There is no escaping the fact that all we attract is pensioners with no money. Who wants to build (or more accurately ‘resurrect’) a business based on that?