Minister criticises £12m plan to update market

Constable Andy Jehan said the Jersey government needed to spend considerably less on market improvements

The infrastructure minister has said plans to update Jersey's Central Market "wouldn't see the light of day" while he was minister.

Constable Andy Jehan said the scheme would cost up to £12 million and that he believed the Jersey government "needed to spend considerably less".

The market has served the community of Jersey for more than 200 years, according to Visit Jersey.

Addressing the Environment Housing and Infrastructure Panel, he said: "I can think of many, many other places I can spend £12 million."

Jehan added: "Yes, we need to make sure the markets are functional and safe, but I don't think we need to spend £12 million on our markets, personally.

"Other people have a different view to me but I think if we want to maintain reasonable rents or very generous rents then you are not going to get a return on a £12 million investment."