A PUBLIC exhibition will go some way to discovering whether islanders want Alderney to become a thriving tourist destination.
A marina for up to 200 boats is in the pipeline and residents will be asked for their opinions on the project at an event due to be held later this month.
Alderney’s Marine Working Group identified Crabby Bay, Braye Beach, Douglas Quay, Maggie’s Bay and the area near the Arsenal as potential marina sites last year and it is believed those locations will be presented to the public for debate.
Plans for a marina have long been mooted by the States but have failed in the past due to a lack of public backing.
MWG chairman Ian Tugby, who is also the States member responsible for tourism, said: ‘It’s crucial we take the public with us on this.’
Change is hard to take. People tend to like what they’re used to, whether they live in America, Australia or Alderney, and there’s no harm in that.
But if Alderney is going to prosper as a tourist destination it must think about offering something different. The Chamber of Commerce has already spoken out about the lack of holiday bookings and has even suggested that some businesses may be forced to close down.
A marina may not be the be-all and end-all for businesses on the edge but it could attract rich yachting folk.
However, a marina alone may not be enough to attract more boat owners to Alderney.
Sailors are already welcome here, so whether one would significantly increase the number of visitors is debatable. However, if the marina boasted something special, more people might put Alderney on their list of preferred destinations.
It could be a high-class restaurant, a bar, or, dare I say it, a casino.
Ultimately, it will be up to the States and public to decide. It could be time for everyone in the island to start thinking outside the box.
The junior table tennis championship attracted a bumper crowd at the Island Hall.
More than 20 youngsters took part in various qualifying events before the championship and Alex Finding and Edward Rowe proved the stars of the night as they each won two age categories.
Finding won the under-11 title by beating Ryan Wesley in straight sets, before going on to claim the under-16 event later in the evening by overcoming Ross Benfield.
Rowe brought Finding’s winning streak to a halt by winning the under-13 title and went on to take the under-15 event by beating Benfield.
Abigail Gregg overcame Danielle Ives in four sets to claim the girls’ title.
Around 70 spectators turned up to watch the matches and a good time was had by all.
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