THE Town Markets redevelopment is on target to be completed within its £20m. budget, says Brett Allen, director of developer McAulay. He believes it is currently the biggest solely commercial listed landmark building development in the British Isles – there are larger civil ones.

‘The tenants can see this end of Town will be as busy as the main High Street as Town expands into this area. I think it will make a huge difference to the island generally,’ he said.

The developer has just agreed terms with specialist retailers Whittard of Chelsea and Julian Graves to occupy one of the retail units.

It sells health products, teas, coffees and chinaware.

‘It follows on with our policy of bringing in new traders to the island.

‘We said we would get a mixture of uses that were complementary, that would cover a full range, and this is pursuing the policy,’ said Mr Allen.

A deal between the developer and the Channel Islands Co-operative Society was expected to be sealed by the end of next week.

The developer is also in talks with two non-Guernsey retail companies about occupying the two remaining units.

‘Neither of them are fashion,’ said Mr Allen.

Negotiations about space within the French Halles are continuing with a ‘major international retailer’ already operating here.

New Look believes its Markets store is the third best-selling one per square foot in the British Isles, he said.

The developer is delighted with the project.

‘What is now required is to get some life in it with the shops in the next few months,’ said Mr Allen.

He hopes the alfresco licence for The Square will be resolved in the Royal Court next week.

The licence application was adjourned this week following concerns over the size of the alfresco area, delivery access and toilet facilities.

Plans are at an advanced stage for a ‘local market’ on Church Square terrace which should be up and running in the next month on Fridays and Saturdays.

He believed people appreciated the disabled access ramp.

The States have taken up their leases on the offices upstairs and the flats are being leased out.

Nearly all the office space at the former Tudor House has now been let.

Mr Allen said he believed this is largely due to the impending opening of the whole Markets development.