Jersey business fears La Folie development ‘may lead to eviction’

A business director has expressed concerns over future trade amid redevelopment plans in Jersey.

Ports of Jersey has been the long-term leaseholder of the land and buildings at the La Folie site since it was incorporated in 2015.

The organisation announced a market consultation exercise to assess the level of interest in developing the historical maritime site on Thursday.

Liam Hill, director of Mobile Motorworks Limited, has worked at the site for 14-years and said he was “concerned” redevelopment plans could leave businesses with “nowhere to trade”.

Ports CEO Matt Thomas said the organisation wanted to offer a renovated La Folie Inn and high-quality visitor accommodation “through a careful redevelopment of all the land and buildings on this site”.

Mr Hill said the move could see a good commercial site, of which he said were “getting fewer” on the island, turned into residential accommodation.

He said Ports had always been “transparent” as a landlord and, if necessary, he hoped it would consider rehoming the site’s small businesses.

“Along with the other small commercial units here, we have really built a nice community,” Mr Hill said.

“The main concern for this site would obviously be for us to have nowhere to go.

“Nowhere to trade… would be a great shame.”

Ports of Jersey bosses said that they could not guarantee alternative premises, but added that they would continue to have discussions with tenants and work with them to discuss options.