Empty Shops and Cost of Living Top Concerns in St Brelade
Empty retail units in Les Quennevais Parade and Precinct, alongside pressures from the rising cost of living, are the primary concerns expressed by voters in St Brelade.
The BBC is conducting a roadshow visiting every voting district ahead of the June election. On Tuesday, the roadshow was held in St Brelade.
Joe Pinzari, proprietor of two businesses in Les Quennevais Parade, revealed that he has been compelled to close one of them due to high rents and operational costs.
Other residents shared their frustration with the BBC regarding the necessity for some individuals to rely on food banks in what is considered a prosperous island like Jersey.
Les Quennevais is intended to serve as Jersey's second urban centre; however, there has been a longstanding perception that the parade and precinct have been neglected, resulting in numerous vacant shops.
Pinzari commented on the current state of the parade and precinct, stating:
"I remember as a kid, I was brought up in St Brelade and this area was busy. It was buzzing, it was a vibe, people came up here for a reason. But now this area is lacking a reason for people to come up.
Why are shops empty? The rents are too high, the buildings are falling apart, there is no investment being made into the area."
Previous business owners have informed the BBC that the high rents and lack of repairs are attributed to a commercial landlord based in the UK.
Pinzari has had to close one of his businesses, the Bean Café, for over a year.
He explained:
"The trouble with the Bean Café is that we didn't get enough support locally and there is no support from the government.
The rent as a percentage of the takings reached up to 27%. You just can't operate like that as a business. I had to shut it.
People now are struggling with the cost of living."
Pinzari suggested that a local enterprise centre could provide assistance to businesses facing difficulties.
He proposed:
"People can come in and talk to them when they are struggling and find a way to help them.
If we were to have a Jersey enterprise centre, I would say: 'Send Joe in from the Bean Café. What are his struggles? How can we help him through this difficult period? Let's support him, let's keep this café open and keep people employed and, once he's back on his feet, we pull [considerately withdraw] that support from him.'"
Community Voices on Cost of Living Challenges
The BBC also heard from several individuals who highlighted the significant challenges posed by the cost of living.
Louis Bowen remarked:
"This is a rich island and you have people going to the food bank. That should not be happening in a place like Jersey."
Ruth Perchard, who works in a church, shared similar concerns:
"I meet a lot of people who are really struggling, and even people who are working are having to go to food banks.
For some people, it's a case of either you eat or put the heating on.
I think the ones who are very rich should pay more tax."
Tony Bellows, editor of the parish magazine La Baguette, expressed views on social housing:
"There is a big gap between people who are well on the housing ladder and the people who have rented housing.
The States, at least they have some control on the rents so they [tenants] aren't getting totally squeezed by landlords."
Environmental Protection and Future Policies
The BBC also spoke with Greg Morel, a resident of St Brelade and head of Jersey National Park.
Approximately 16% of Jersey's land mass is designated as part of the national park, where development is strictly regulated.
Morel emphasized the importance of continued protection of the national park by future politicians:
"I would argue that you need environmental wellbeing underpinning social and economic wellbeing. People want to live and work here because it's such a nice place to live.
So I think it's really important that the right policies are put in place to ensure that, while we all need infrastructure, it's done in a way that protects those things that make Jersey special - a well managed and well conserved natural environment."
Election Information
The election is scheduled for 7 June. The list of candidates standing for deputy in St Brelade can be found here.
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