A Trident Charters vessel on one of its regular trips to Herm. The company’s general manager is keen for the States to ensure the island stays the same under any new management as its lease goes on the market for £15m. (Picture by Tony Rive, 0478196)
THE States of Guernsey has a responsibility to ensure any new Herm leaseholder retains the island’s integrity, according to Travel Trident’s general manager.
The asking price for the lease is £15m. but Treasury and Resources would have the final say on the suitability of any new tenant. The States bought Herm in 1947. Peter Wilcox of Trident Charters, a family-run business, said the States must ensure the next leaseholder of Herm maintains its natural beauty and continues to bring in the tourists. ‘My only concern is that the island retains the traditions it has now,’ he said.
‘I hope the States will control the leaseholder because I think it is very important the right tenants are found as we would like to see as little change as possible.’ However, Mr Wilcox said he would like to see the White House Hotel open in the winter.
‘At the moment it is closed during the winter from about October. Opening it would be good for us and tourism.’
Mr Wilcox’s father Charlie set up Travel Trident, as is still known by many, in 1969.
‘My father had a relationship with Major [Peter] Wood and the Heyworths and I with Adrian and Pennie and it has always been an amicable one.
‘It is a shame to see that the children do not want to continue the family tradition, but I know they have careers in the UK and that is their choice,’ Mr Wilcox said.
He wished the Heyworths well.
White House Hotel manager Jonathan Watson declined to comment on the sale of the lease and the impending departure of the Heyworths after 28 years.
‘It would be unfair of me to do so,’ he said.
Article posted on 19th May, 2008 - 2.29pm
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7 Article Comments
If and only if Herm is making a profit, perhaps Guernsey could select a team of agriculturists and conservationists to manage it together and run it as it is. All profits could fill the states coffers and help the Bailiwick economy.
If Herm is making a profit how long does Colin think it would take his team of States appointed agriculturalists and conservationists to turn that into a loss? What happens then?
Herm is presumably profitable due to the enourmous effort, time and love that the Heyworths have put into the island. No states employee or committee is going to be willing or able to make such a long term commitment to the island. Political whims change with the wind and how close we are to an election. Businesses cannot operate successfully with such uncertainty.
Management by committee seldom works successfully, particularly in a business environment.
I agree with Peter Wilcox that Herm should retain it’s present state. Guernsey States Treasury and Resources please be very careful of whom you select as the next tennant of Herm. God forbid that it should fall into the same situation that Sark is in. Brechou is no recommendation.
The worry I would have if the States took over the lease is that they’d sell it on for a song to Cable & Wireless.
I agree that estate agents will have to be careful who they let Herm to. Herm is an ideal island and very weloming, we would not like to see that change. Brecqhou is a lovely island having visited with a group. What the Barclay Bros have done there is to be recommended. It is unfortunate that Sark residents and the Barclays Bros are not seeing eye to eye but there is compromise with most things and come on some of the laws on Sark do need updating i.e beating your wife and no girl can inherit !!
I agree Estate Agents have to be careful who they sell Herm Island to. Herm is ‘ideal’ and a welcoming island and it would be a shame to lose that. I have to disagree with Margaret having visited Brecqhou with a conservation group - I was most impressed with what the Barclay Bros have achieved (yes you might say they have the money to do it but the work has been sympathetic to the environment - a Garden of Eden on what was a barren island). You have to visit it to appreciate it.
Christine please get your facts straight before making them public.