Historic La Folie site could be redeveloped

Ports of Jersey CEO Matt Thomas said the organisation wanted to offer a renovated La Folie Inn and high-quality visitor accommodation

Views are being sought to assess the level of interest in developing a historical maritime site in Jersey.

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

It said the area was highlighted in the harbour master plan as a possible multi-use development.

Stephen King, chief operating officer at Ports of Jersey, said it was looking for "partners with creative ideas".

'Former glory'

Ports of Jersey said it was open to ideas from organisations with proven development and management experience

The plan stated La Folie Inn would be retained and renovated in partnership with key stakeholders due to the building’s listed status.

Mr King said: "We know the whole site is an important part of the maritime and social history of Jersey.

"We're just beginning the process of seeing if there are organisations interested in redeveloping the site, bringing La Folie to its former glory."

On whether the inside of the building would be protected, Mr King said: "We want to make sure as much of that history is preserved.

"We're looking for partners who have experience in this area, with creative ideas.

"Because it's a listed building, it will go through planning and there will be opportunities for the public to comment on the designs."

'Enormous potential'

Jim Sunnucks, former manager at La Folie until 1985, said seeing it closed left him with "a tear" in his eye.

"I felt a bit sad, having seen it daily and now the beer garden's been taken away," he said.

"I had a bit of a tear in my eye because it's so sad to see it closed, especially because it's a couple of hundred years old.

"It's definitely prime real estate to be a pub again. Maybe I'll come back to manage it if someone opens it up."

Jim Sunnucks, former La Folie manager, said seeing it closed left him with "a tear" in his eye

Ana and Marcus Calvani, co-CEOs of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said they were excited the "enormous potential for alternative and quirky" accommodation was being explored.

"We hope that Ports finds a suitable partner to make this exciting project a success and add to their growing list of unusual properties for islanders and visitors to stay in," they said.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Jersey’s minister for sustainable economic development, said the success of the island's connectivity relies on investment in visitor accommodation.

"We have said we would enable investment in additional and diverse visitor accommodation, to ensure there is sufficient, attractive capacity for all the people who consider visiting Jersey," he said.

"If this can be achieved by renovating La Folie, and developing an area which has been under-used for many years, it will be of huge benefit to islanders, visitors, and the local economy.”