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BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey chief minister "embarrassed" by ferry spat
Guernsey's chief minister has said he was embarrassed by a spat between Channel Island politicians over proposals for an inter island ferry follows a disagreement between Guernsey's head of economic development Neil Inder and Jersey's economic development minister Kirsten Morel over a possible solution to provide freight transport links between the a Chamber Of Commerce lunch, the chief ministers of Guernsey and Jersey were asked if they were embarrassed by the row between their economic development Lyndon Farnham said he was "disappointed but not embarrassed" while Guernsey's Lyndon Trott said he was "more embarrassed than Deputy Farnham". The chief ministers were talking to business leaders in Guernsey about the importance of inter-island cooperation on Wednesday when they were asked about the disagreement between Morel and had said he was angry Morel had told the media Guernsey did not seem as positive as Jersey over the inter island ferry plan proposed to them by FerryBridge. 'Disappointed but not embarrassed' Guernsey's chief minister Lyndon Trott told the BBC he was embarrassed by the spat. "One of the first things I learnt in politics is that there are few things that can't be sorted out over a cup of tea but also it's important that proper business is not conducted on the front page of the local newspapers," he said." I think while the spat was regrettable, the positions are held strongly."However Trott insisted inter island relationships were stronger than ever."The good news is there is an overwhelming amount of time we spend working cooperatively, collaboratively and positively and I genuinely expect that to continue significantly into the future," he said he was "disappointed" but not "embarrassed" by the disagreement and it was important the islands looked at moving forward."What we have to do now is work together to ensure, in the fullness of time, that we can get an improved inter island service for passengers and cars," he said."I'm sure that Brittany Ferries and DFDS and Jersey and Guernsey are committed to that and we have other third party operators that want to come in and provide services." However, Murray Norton, the head of Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, described the spat as "politically immature"."I think it's disappointing for Channel Island collaboration and I think its fairly unfitting of two politicians, whilst they might have deep seated views of their own island and we all have those," said Mr Norton. "But we've got to see the bigger picture and we look at our politicians to act much more maturely and to act a little bit more dignified I think."Inder is one of 82 candidates standing in Guernsey's general election - see a full list here.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey and Guernsey politicians clash over ferry offer
Politicians in Jersey and Guernsey have clashed over inter-island ferry island's governments chose different firms to operate services to the UK and France for the next 15 years, but under the new arrangement there are fewer large vessels travelling between Jersey and said they had now been approached by a group, called FerryBridge, offering to run vehicle and freight services between the Kirsten Morel, who was responsible for Jersey's ferry negotiations, said he was "willing to support" the idea, but Deputy Neil Inder, who ran Guernsey's negotiations, said it was too early in the new arrangements. Deputy Kirsten Morel, the sustainable economic development minister who handled the ferry negotiations for Jersey, said island authorities were interested in the offer from FerryBridge."Jersey has said it's absolutely willing to support that, we've not received positive responses from Guernsey," he said."I am slightly concerned that we're being offered solutions and Jersey wants these solutions but we're being pushed back elsewhere, and I do wonder why that's the case." Deputy Neil Inder, President of Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development, said Morel's comments had left him angry."'I'm incredulous that a minister in Jersey appears to have no ability to look in the rear-view mirror," he said."I have already advised the people behind FerryBridge that it is too early in the new ferry arrangements and any ferry proposal seeking ramp access would be incompatible with Guernsey's current contractual, legal and ramp licensing arrangements."Deputy Morel is fully aware of our position, so there shouldn't be any lack of clarity on his part." Despite a lack of options for people wanting to take their vehicles between the islands, there are a number of services for foot passengers. Guernsey company Islands Unlimited launched an inter-island ferry service offering a daily inter-island foot passenger service on high-speed catamaran capable of carrying 316 passengers from Murray, operations director for Islands Unlimited, hoped the service provides more certainty for people wanting to travel between the islands."They want something that they know is the same each day of the week," he said."Not only for the general public, but also for a lot of the tour operators that are trying to have confidence to sell experiences to visitors in both islands."French firm Manche Iles Express will also run ferries for foot passengers between the French coast, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey tourism businesses see 'great' start to summer season
Guernsey tourism businesses say they have had a "great" start to the season, with many seeing an increase in visitors from was a 47% increase in visitors in April compared to 2024, according to Deputy Neil Inder, president of the Economic Development guide Korinne Le Page said this is the first time she has seen her calendar look so Furnace, owner of the Petit Train, said he has also seen a "positive" start to his season. 'Very good' Last month Brittany Ferries started its new timetables for its Guernsey-only Le Page believes the better day-trip offering for French visitors has helped boost numbers."[Brittany Ferries] marketing has been very good and Visit Guernsey have been marketing as well, there's been a lot of work with Normandy and Brittany tour operators and I'm seeing more and more people making inquiries", she said the island was feeling "busier" than in previous years, and this was backed up by the said: "We've had 13,000 passenger movements over the Easter period and up to the end of October we are looking at about 63% up on last year."The experience of Guernsey tourism businesses is in contrast to their counterparts in Jersey, who said they have had the "worst start to a tourist season ever."Ferry company DFDS said it had 6,000 people travel to Jersey with them over said Guernsey "rightly" split from Jersey during the joint tender process for the new lifeline ferry contracts. "We are entirely committed to Brittany Ferries, Guernsey is much loved in Brittany and St Malo and the French like loyalty", he said. Anda Jones, manager of Cadeaux gift shop, said she has also seen an uptick in French customers, who have also helped her learn the said: "They also learn a bit of the patois, like A La Perchoine. Because I don't know French I asked some of the visitors to write a sign."I asked them 'how do you say welcome to our little shop' and they wrote it in French for me, so now I have a little sign outside."Mr Furnace, the Petit Train owner, said he's feeling positive for the season ahead."We're looking forward to it, as long as the weather holds. We are looking forward to Liberation Day and we're optimistic, especially for the French trade coming over. That's expected to be high around August time."
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Information centre relocates to the heart of Guernsey
The Visitor Information Centre in Guernsey has been relocated to the centre of town. The centre's new home is in the Market Buildings and it is hoped the move will see an increase in footfall to the area as well as making it a more convenient place for people to visit. The new location has been renovated and care was taken to protect the history of the building. Market Buildings is the starting point for a new walking route created for Guernsey's 80th Liberation Day Anniversary. Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: "This move presented the opportunity to breathe life back into an important building in the heart of St Peter Port." Signage has been put up to ensure that visitors are able to find the new centre. Visitor Information Centre manager Ed Man said he hoped the move would make Market Square "a really good hub" for people where they would "want to come and socialise". Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Plaque marking Guernsey cows in US returns to view New tour of displays to commemorate Liberation Day
BBC News
14-04-2025
- BBC News
Visitor Information Centre relocates to the heart of Guernsey
The Visitor Information Centre in Guernsey has been relocated to the centre of centre's new home is in the Market Buildings and it is hoped the move will see an increase in footfall to the area as well as making it a more convenient place for people to new location has been renovated and care was taken to protect the history of the Buildings is the starting point for a new walking route created for Guernsey's 80th Liberation Day Anniversary. Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: "This move presented the opportunity to breathe life back into an important building in the heart of St Peter Port."Signage has been put up to ensure that visitors are able to find the new Information Centre manager Ed Man said he hoped the move would make Market Square "a really good hub" for people where they would "want to come and socialise".
