This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

Warren Holt of festival organiser Positiv Productions at Victoria Avenue yesterday. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0573814)

THREE truckloads of alcohol and soft drinks should slake the thirst of Guernsey Live goers.

The beer-tent delivery arrived yesterday at the Victoria Avenue site. Licensees along the seafront and in Town have also stocked up for the weekend.

Ship & Crown licensee Mark Pontin, who is running the beer tent at the festival, said measures had been taken to ensure alcohol was not sold to under-18s. ‘The beer area is cordoned off so everyone has to be over 18 which will be shown by the bands they are wearing,’ he said.

‘Prices will be £2.50 or £1 for soft drinks, which is cheaper than in some pubs. We have 20 to 30 staff each day covering the bars,’

He expected Town to be as busy as ever.

‘I don’t think Guernsey Live will affect business in Town in a negative way.

‘Some of the people will be down there watching particular bands, then coming into Town afterwards,’ said Mr Pontin.

He said it would be a weekend to remember.

‘I’ve seen the stage, which is massive, and the atmosphere down there is already really good.’

Landlord Simon Allum said the White Hart was well stocked for the weekend and for any extra punters as a result of Guernsey Live and other events.

‘If anything, I think Guernsey Live might take people out of Town but I expect there will be a crowd of Jersey boys over for the Siam Cup.

‘May is always a good month and we generally expect a busy bank holiday weekend, but with everything that’s going on, it might be even better.’

Karen Billien, owner of fast-food caterer Munch Box, believed take-up from food vendors had not been as strong as organisers had hoped.

‘I had an email earlier in the week from Warren Holt saying there wasn’t a lot of take-up for catering, so we expect to be busy,’ she said.

‘We are looking forward to it and we have overcatered in preparation.

‘We are just hoping that we don’t sell out. It is what Guernsey needs and should be supported by locals or it won’t happen again.’