‘Attracting more UK multiples is a crass mistake’

By Nick Mann

John Hollis CURRENT policy is failing St Peter Port, it has been claimed.

Retail expert John Hollis (pictured), who lives in St Peter Port, said Town had significant disadvantages – such as parking and rents – but there were some advantages.

‘Attempting to compete by primarily attracting more UK multiples would be a crass mistake,’ he warned.

‘One or two may be desirable to plug holes in teenage fashion and other areas, but St Peter Port needs to compete by being different.

‘Independent retailers need to be encouraged, whereas too many current policies discourage them.’

Mr Hollis, who has 30 years experience of the sector and was in management consultancy for 15 years, suggested one part of the solution could be for Town to become more French in style with innovative boutiques.

‘With a degree of support, the efforts of some to achieve a vibrant Old Quarter could also finally come to fruition.

‘The creative effort going in from some traders deserves a positive result, with some great community events and exhibitions planned for 2010.’

An argument that UK visitors wanted stores familiar to them did not stack up, he said.

‘The idea that they will spend their holidays in the same old stores they can visit at home, and then pay the excess baggage costs to an airline to carry it all home, wiping out any VAT saving, likewise does not stack up as a sustainable retail proposition for Guernsey.’

And the future should not come down to a scrap between St Peter Port and St Sampson’s, he said. ‘Hopefully, Commerce and Employment’s future strategy for the retail sector will encourage the development of a stronger, distinct retail offering for Guernsey as a whole and its various communities.

‘There is no question that St Sampson’s needs improved retail, social and entertainment facilities for the local population there.

‘Part of the solution will undoubtedly involve some UK multiples operating out of modern retail facilities, integrated with improved local meeting places and social entertainment.

‘However, there are critical issues of scale and design, plus what the local population would prefer.

‘What starts as potentially a beautiful and characteristic harbour area hopefully won’t migrate into the equivalent of a 1980s “me-too” UK shopping centre with the look and feel of Slough, Hull, Swindon or other bland and dreary places in the UK.’

He described some of the parking difficulties in Town as a ‘retail killer’.