Ken Smith says he can no longer afford to run the Strawberry Farm. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0588563)

A TOURIST attraction is set to close unless a new tenant can be found. Ken Smith says he can no longer afford to run The Strawberry Farm, which he took over in 2006.

A change in cruise ship bookings and the new tax on real property mean that the business, which opened in 1974 as the Hanging Strawberry Farm, is losing money.

‘We have lost most of the shops up here for various reasons. The whole place isn’t viable,’ said Mr Smith. ‘Without all those other shops, we cannot afford to pay the rent. There are lots of reasons why the Strawberry Farm doesn’t work and one is the drinks licence.’

Mr Smith said that when pub licensing hours were extended to 12.45am, his business was not included and remained at 11pm. He said that had lost him many corporate functions and weddings.

• Guernsey Woodcarvers next to the site is an entirely separate business.