This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

Herm leaseholders Adrian and Pennie Heyworth, who feel it is time for others to take charge of the island. 0289384

HERM needs new investment, according to its tenants. Adrian and Pennie Heyworth are selling the lease after 28 years running the island.

When Mrs Heyworth’s father, Major Peter Wood, took it on in 1949, the island was derelict and the family has spent millions on the infrastructure. Upgrades have included the installation of electricity, a better water supply and a sewerage system and the creation of many of the roads, paths, beach cafes and other facilities used by thousands of visitors each year.

‘Herm is great, but perhaps having had the Heyworth family for 28 years it’s time for a change,’ said Mr Heyworth. ‘Perhaps it needs new ideas. It needs someone with probably greater wealth than we have to keep pace with the expectations of tourists today.’

That did not mean that there would be radical changes, he added.  Consent would be needed from the Treasury and Resources Department and the Lt-Governor for the lease to be reassigned. Martel Maides has been instructed to find a buyer and the London agent is Knight Frank.

‘It is, of course, an opportunity to effectively own your own island with its own harbour and game shooting, but with the considerable attraction of an income from the thriving businesses,’ said Martel Maides director Nick Renny.

‘And there is the natural charm and beauty of the island, with its sandy beaches and unspoilt land.

‘That is what attracts thousands of visitors a year and will prove a unique selling point with any prospective new owner and I have no doubt they will want to continue the sympathetic stewardship of the island as guardians of this very special place.’

Mr Renny said the attractiveness of the island owed much to the work of the Woods and the Heyworths.

‘That investment is not only measured in the millions of pounds they have spent on improving the island but also in the incredible personal devotion and care that has been given to Herm for more than 50 years.’

Treasury minister Charles Parkinson said it was important the right tenant was found.

‘It is not so much an issue of income for the States, it is about preserving the character of the island and, most importantly, the rights of access that Guernsey islanders have become used to over the decades,’ said Deputy Parkinson.

‘Guernsey loves Herm and we do not want to see anything disrupt that relationship.

‘We would like to offer our best wishes to the Heyworth family and thank them, and their predecessors, for nearly 60 years of outstanding stewardship of the island.’

The Heyworths plan to move to Guernsey.

‘We have three daughters. We have talked long and hard with them about the possibility of them taking over, but they are all very successful in the UK. Herm isn’t part of their plans, although they love it,’ said Mr Heyworth.

He also wants to fulfil his ambition to sail the Atlantic.

If a buyer for the lease cannot be found they would stay on but change the management structure so they have more free time.