New Herm tenants vow to keep it open to all
Tuesday 23rd September 2008, 2:30PM BST.
New managers of Herm, John and Julia Singer. The couple will move to the island next Wednesday after finalising the sale the day before. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0643547)
A DEAL to sell Herm will be completed on Tuesday.
The island’s new owner is Starboard Settlement, a trust that provides financial support for charities in the developing world.
Starboard has agreed to buy the 40-year lease for an undisclosed sum ‘substantially less’ than the £15m. guide price.
A new Guernsey company, Herm Island Ltd, which is controlled by Guernsey resident John Singer, 64, has been set up to run the island.
Along with wife Julia, Mr Singer will move to Herm next Wednesday to take over as island managers from Adrian and Pennie Heyworth, who have run Herm for the past 28 years. Mr Singer, who has lived in Guernsey since 1990, is Starboard’s investment manager and will be responsible to the trustees for all activities in Herm.
He promised to ensure that the island remained the jewel in the Bailiwick’s crown.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
Looks like all the doomsayers can rest easy – seriously though, its nice to see that the new managers of Herm intend to keep things as before.
I’m sure there will be some changes but hopefully the island will stay substantially the way it has been for the last few decades.
Report abuse
one hopes that with a 40 year lease that who ever realistically takes the reins up at a later point also promises to ensure that the island remains ‘the jewel in the Bailiwick’s crown’.
Herm is such a special place, I truely hope that the new tenants of the lease are as safe a pair of hands as the Heyworths have been with their exceptional care of the island.
Wishing the Singers the best in their new stewardship of Herm.
Report abuse
Absolutely…I already sense this couple will continue with the flame that the Heyworth’s have carried all this time (and pleasant smiles)…and also being a part of Starboard Settlement, a fantastic charirity fund raising element, the Bailiwick can only become stronger :)
I LOVE the romantic element too of the first date…awww…blush blush!
Love em, and their surname SINGS!!!
Report abuse
It’s looking good for Herm. Do hope that the Singers enjoy the position on Herm (who wouldn’t?) and I do hope that common sense continues to prevail for the well-being of the future for the island.
Report abuse
I’m sceptical.
It’s going to be owned by a Trust which has makes charitable donations. is this all the trust does? is it a ‘charitable trust’?
if so then i imagine that herm is merely an investment which will have to either a)make a decent profit during it’s life b) be able to be sold for a decent profit.
if it is simply mr singer’s own trust then it’s fair enough as he can basically do what he likes with it and isn’t likely to run it into the ground for profit.
but the article makes it seem that all the trust does is support charities, in which case I would be worried, due to the fact that herm will essentially be an investment property.
Report abuse
I am just glad that Herm hasn’t been handed over to a major hotel chain. Thanks to the Heyworth’s for obviously taking the best interest of all who love Herm into account – and good luck to the Singers.
Report abuse
found on the Internet on a national broadsheet… this reads promising.
‘That commitment will now fall on the Singers, who have lived on Guernsey since 1990 and look upon Herm as the place that sparked their love for each other. They have set up Herm Island Ltd, which they intend to run as a non-profit organisation. Any money that is made from the island’s vital tourism trade will be channelled into Starboard Settlement, a trust that supports charities in the developing world’
My concern is who will be running the island on a day to day basis say in 10 years time, and I read in today’s paper that they are interested in an extension too. One hopes that this is for good long term intentions, though I would like to think that the States will reflect on this over at least the next years to come rather then bend over on day one and extend it before the pudding has cooled and been tasted.
Roll on a prosperous season for their first year and start of their careship.
Report abuse
As someone who only discovered Herm 4 years ago and decided to spend all my holidays there for as long as I live I too was devastated to learn of its sale and horrified that anything could change its idyllic peace – we chose it because of the fact there are no tvs etc and long may this last It is wonderful to see children running about without a care in the world Please please Guernsey States keep this wonderful island as it is Maybe just a few tweaks in the fading self catering furnishings but no drastic changes
Report abuse
Sounds like a great outcome for the staff and visitors alike. My 3 children were very worried that their 10 year run of a week’s holiday in August might be coming to an end.
Suggest Mr & Mrs S take an interest in the declining catering standards / options at the Mermaid and the dodgy potholes in the walk up the hill…the rest is perfect.
Report abuse