TRADITIONAL traders have been pushed out of the ‘soulless’ Markets, according to Deputy Dave Jones. He said the introduction of more UK stores was avoiding the question of what had happened to the original traders – but Brett Allen, director of Markets developer McAulay, said the comments were yet more mindless criticism.
The Housing minister said local traders had gradually been eased out and to keep calling the building a market was an insult to its vibrant and historic past.
But Mr Allen said Deputy Jones was just romanticising the past. ‘Dave Jones would say we don’t need more retail, let’s get back to the smell of fish, donkey poo and gin – and traffic fumes in the Market Square area,’ he said.
Deputy Jones said predictions he made when the building was passed to McAulay had all come true. ‘I said the development would end up looking just like every other bland shopping mall in almost every English town. This has now become fact and the promises which were made to our local market traders, that they would be protected and looked after, have proved to be worthless,’ he said.
Mr Allen said he felt nothing but despair at hearing Deputy Jones’ comments and had been pleasantly surprised by the positive attitude and approach adopted by new members of the House. ‘The peace from the lack of backbiting by politicians was a welcome change. Here we go again with the old guard falling into their old ways of sniping at everything that does not concern them and without any accountability.’
He said Deputy Jones was dragging up matters that had been settled 15 years ago and that Market Square was now a prime centre of social and cultural activities in St Peter Port, the Saturday markets on the terrace in particular proving a great success.
‘We have rescued a fine building which was in terminal decline at no cost to the States or people of Guernsey.’
But Deputy Jones said the States and the former Board of Administration in particular should hang their heads in shame at what has happened to the old Guernsey Markets, saying the whole area had become anglicised.
‘Those of us who loved the old market can only hope the whole project will eventually disappoint local people enough that they shop elsewhere and generations in the future will once again see a proper Guernsey market rise up out of this now soulless part of St Peter Port,’ he said.
Mr Allen was puzzled by the criticisms since McAulay had been required to introduce retailers that were not already in the Town – although three of the seven retailers were from Guernsey.
‘Everyone seems to dream of emulating French towns which, when they are considered in reality, turn out to be dead,’ he said.
Article posted on 24th July, 2008 - 11.30am
Loading ...
4 Article Comments
I have to agree with Deputy Jones on this one. The gradual exclusion of traditional market traders is dispicable if not unexpected.
The Market redevelopment is indistinguishable from any modern shopping mall in the UK. The likes of McAulay, or any other big developer, will always opt for a tried and tested planning scheme (no matter how bland) and retention of ‘character’ will always be a secondary consideration.
So it is with the Market and so it will be with Herm if a large luxury hotel chain get their hands on it. Beware Guernsey - the States have proved to have a complete lack of foresight in such matters - they sanctioned the ruination of our Market and I don’t trust them to protect and preserve Herm, perhaps our most precious asset.
It is a great sadness to all those who remember the days when the market was a “real market”.
Where there was life and vitality, colour and variety. Nobody is romancing the past, it is a fact that the grey, windswept, desolate areas
surrounding the market are definitly user unfriendly, and only come alive for a few summer months. Likewise, Market Street is now empty. So, the responsibility for this must rest firmly on the shoulders of the the States of Guernsey and the miopic ministers. The heart of St.Peter Port is gone, and like Deputy Jones, i regret this.
I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy Jones. The death of the Guernsey trader is fast approaching. The states had a unique opportunity with the markets to blend desirable UK stores with support for local retailers. The result is indicative of the impossibility of small retailers to succeed. By the way the excellent entertainment laid on this last week with the Clowns outside the square was much welcomed, however the noise from the work going on in the square in the height of summer was unbelievable
Just at a time when Farmers markets are more popular than ever, the markets are a wasted opportunity. “Romancing about the past” - what rubbish is that man talking about - I suggest he goes and takes a look around the farmers market at Castel on a Saturday, or the execllent one at Saumarez Manor. Mr Allen will soon realise that the smell of fish and donkey poo is exactly what we want. People are tired of sterile, tired of plastic around everything, tired of consumerism. People want local food, to meet the producers and get involved with their community. It leaves me asking who is the one that is behind the times here. Mr Allen is still living in the 1990’s. Wake up. We want our markets - pushing out the traders was a disgrace; that the States sanctioned. Shame on you all.