Leale's Yard review finds more research is needed

A review into the impact of the proposed Leale's Yard development on other shops in Guernsey has found more research is needed.

The Chamber of Commerce's retail group commissioned a review into the planned shopping centre at the Bridge.

Chairman David Falla said it highlighted the potential problems it could cause elsewhere.

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, who are behind the plans, said the review was misleading.

The plans, which include building shops, houses, and public spaces at the site in St Sampson, have already undergone two reviews, one commissioned by the developers and another undertaken by the States.

Mr Falla said: "There's no overall vision and I think that's what's missing at the moment.

"I'm hoping planning authorities, all the other relevant States departments, the town centre partnership and the chamber of commerce will all get together with major retailers and say what will make St Peter Port successful, what will make the Bridge successful and how does that all add up to making Guernsey successful?"

Peter Roffey, president of the board of directors of the Co-op, said the aim was not to compete with St Peter Port, but offer retailers bigger premises and may even lead to lower rents for businesses in town.

He said: "St Peter Port is great, it's never going to be undermined as the premier retail centre because it has got the character, it's got the history and it's got all the niche retailing.

"What it can't provide unfortunately is what you can get elsewhere, which is those small number of stores who require a large footprint. The topography and the history nature of St Peter Port does not allow that, that the part of the retail offer which is missing now which would be provided on the Bridge."