SIR DAVID and Sir Frederick Barclay look set to buy further substantial properties in Sark, prompting speculation that the island will become ‘Sarclays’. The island is buzzing with reports that the Brecqhou owners are about to secure three tenements as well as a freehold that includes one side of The Avenue.

La Rondellerie and Vieux Port tenements and Le Clos Messervy freehold look set to move into their ownership.

This comes on top of the purchase of the Beau Regard and son Duncan Barclay’s move to secure La Fripponerie.

The brothers already own about 7% of the island as a result of their earlier purchases.

The news has divided Sark’s small community, with some residents fearing a takeover.

But others were more supportive, especially given the Barclays’ intention to make a substantial investment in the island.

Chief Pleas member Phyllis Rang runs a jewellery shop on Le Clos Messervy.

She said that Sir Frederick had called her yesterday morning.

‘He assured me they didn’t intend interfering with anything,’ she said.

‘He said, ﾓDon’t think for one minute there’s any question of raising rents or anything like thatﾔ.’

None of the transactions has gone through the Sark Court yet.

‘In a way, it’s an unknown quantity, but on the other hand they say they don’t intend interfering in anyone’s way of life but just want to improve things, so we’ll just have to wait and see,’ said Mrs Rang.

Sir David and Sir Frederick were seen in Sark a few weeks ago.

Avenue Cycles is another shop on the freehold that seems set to change hands. Its retiring partner, Tony Ventress, said the community had reacted ‘with horror’ to the prospective sales.

‘It was inevitable once we started tampering in the revolutionary way we did. Certainly some things needed changing, but not quite so severely,’ he said.

Chief Pleas recently agreed two new laws. One will abolish the Seigneur’s traditional feudal rights and the other ends tenants’ automatic right to a seat in Chief Pleas, the government.

Sir David and Sir Frederick have long opposed treizieme, the Seigneur’s entitlement to one-thirteenth of a tenement’s purchase price, which he is relinquishing under the new legislation.

Instead, a property tax of 4% will be charged, with the Seigneur receiving an annual fee.

The legislation still needs approval by the Privy Council before becoming active.