Bid for Barclays Sark estate 'rejected'

The Barclay estate passed to Alasdair Barclay when Sir Frederick Barclay died in 2021

A bid to buy the Barclays estate in Sark has been rejected, the BBC understands.

The Sark Property Company announced on 14 October it had submitted a cash bid for the estate, which covers about 20% of the island.

A letter to Conseillers seen by the BBC from the Trustee of The Sark Estate said it had "no plans to sell it to a company unless a suitable offer is received".

Director of the Sark Property Company major Christopher Beaumont said the offer was "valid for 30 days" and the company would not comment on the status of the bid until that time is up.

The bid, according to the company, was at "market value for the estate, plus a premium" and was valid for 30 days.

Last year, the directors of the Sark Property Company announced their intention to buy the Barclay estate.

Islanders said they were sceptical about the plans, despite attempts to engage with the local community about the future of the island.

In its letter to politicians in Sark, the trustee of the estate, which currently comprises of more than 80 residential properties, five hotels and 19 commercial premises, said it had its "best year" commercially.

It went on to state that the plan was to continue to engage with residents and invest further in the properties.

In recent years, the Moinerie Village and Dixcart Hotel, which are part of the Sark Estate, have reopened, following their closure in 2014.