Parish is told to look again at Sunday ban

Thursday 17th June 2010, 11:30AM BST.

A TRIBUNAL yesterday instructed a douzaine to reconsider its decision to stop a shop from trading on a Sunday.

Earlier this year, St Martin’s douzaine refused to grant a licence to Avant Garden, which operates from a marquee at Sausmarez Manor.

But yesterday, an independent panel recommended that the douzaine should reconsider it.

It was the second Sunday trading licence appeal to be held in the island, but the first under the new tribunal constitution, which was amended in 2003.

Advocate Simon Geall, who represented Avant Garden proprietor Nick Martel, pictured, said the douzaine had failed to take into account that Sausmarez Manor estate was an ‘area of particular interest’.


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  1. 1
    Rossco

    It would be interesting to know the reasons why the douzaine refused to grant the licence; just to laugh at any potential ‘outrageousness’ of their decision. Incredible, really…

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  2. 2
    sjaak Angenent

    Hi Nick,

    Good luck with your appeal, just wonder
    “what area is of particular interest”?

    Your shop adds to the overal interest of Sausmarez
    Manor.

    Keep fighting for your rights!!

    Sjaak Angenent from South Africa

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  3. 3
    John

    Come on St Martins get yourself into the 21st century

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  4. 4
    Martino

    Ridiculous. Just repeal the whole sorry Sunday trading law and let people open their shops when they want.

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  5. 5
    Toni Bandinee

    The St Martin’s douzaine need a good Birching

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  6. 6
    Jenny Rhodes

    Nick is one of the nicest most enterprising young men on the island. Why are “the powers that be” so short sighted.Why don’t they leave him alone to privide a service and a lovely place to visit on a Sunday.I used to go to the St Martins church on a regular basis and I don’t remember many of the Douzaine there. And isn’t it all to do with Sunday being a day of Prayer I think not.

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  7. 7
    Ray

    That’s what you get when you allow ten different groups to interpret the law

    Giving the ten parishes more individual clout will lead to more of these post code lottery errors

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  8. 8
    Vic Gamble

    God must hang his head in shame to see just how silly his little people have become………

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  9. 9
    Scarlett

    Is this the same enterprising gentleman who also wanted ‘speshal’ treatment regarding the uber tent he set up next to the market?

    I agree that Sunday trading laws are restrictive, however, any relaxing of the laws should apply to everyone, not just those who can afford an Advocate and use their media connections to bewail their lot in the papers.

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  10. 10
    Paul Le Page

    I agree with Scarlett – there is a need to review the Sunday Trading laws which are ridiculously inconsistent, but it needs to be for everyone.

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  11. 11
    Martino

    I agree with you Paul and Scarlett and the simplest way is to do away with the Sunday trading laws completely. No more of the inconsistencies that arise from parish panels and completely fair to everyone.

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  12. 12
    Toni Bandinee

    Having just read a packed ‘whats on in Jersey’its shows what can be achieved without the tittle tattle medling of St Martins Douzaine, of which they would manage to prevent 75% taking place i’m sure, lets hope no one hands them more power.Apart from dangerously reducing vision at a busy junction with ugly planters and the Dame of the Parish dancing naked around a Maypole in some bizarre ritual once a year can anyone tell me what they do ,do ?

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  13. 13
    Mario Aragones

    As Guernsey born, during the ocupation, I do take an interest in what goes on in Guernsey.
    Much has changed on the island since I left with my parents in 1953.
    Changes are needed anywhere as times move on, however, I see how the island has been in many ways overdeveloped, sometimes to the detriment of the ‘locals’.
    I find it quite extradinary how much traffic is on the roads today, why do the states allow visitors to bring their own cars onto the island. In the 50′s very few cars were brought to the island, as roro did not exist, but visitors still came. Today visitors would still want to visit and if a car was required could hire, which would be extra income and jobs for the island.
    As far as Sunday trading, following the UK model would satisfy the needs of visitors or locals and help the local economy.
    I would be interested to know how much influence ‘incomers’ have had on the island over the years. Are they allowed to stand as candidates for the States.

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