Review of seaside lido tender process announced

Protestors gather outside the States Assembly to show their opposition to the Havre Des Pas Lido lease

Jersey's infrastructure minister has announced a review into the selection process for the lease of a bathing pool site.

Members from the Love our Lido group gathered in the Royal Square earlier to protest what they said was a "flawed tender process" after First Point was chosen to run Havre de Pas Lido from next year.

Constable Andy Jehan said an independent review would take place before the States debates a proposition on the selection process on 25 November.

The BBC has contacted First Point for comment.

Protestors gathered outside the States Assembly holding banners which criticised the tender process.

Love our Lido argued they were the preferred bidder for the lido but they asked for more time to finalise their plans including how any future commercial tenant would cover utility bills.

However the group said they were not given that time.

Sally Minty-Gravett, from the group, said: "Suddenly we are not the preferred bidder anymore... and three weeks later [First Point] are the people running it.

"It's completely unfair, it's completely wrong."

Carole Penfold, also from the group, added: "They asked for an extension of time, to do more due diligence, and that never happened because they gave it to someone else."

Sally Minty-Gravett said the group was not given time to finalise their plans

On 25 November politicians will debate a proposition from Deputy David Warr which calls for the States Assembly to terminate the current selection process and hand over the management of the site to Love our Lido.

Jehan explained there would be an independent review before the debate.

"We've heard serious allegations from all parties, not just restricted to Love our Lido," he said.

"We have had allegations from private individuals, and we need to get that checked out."

On 31 October the infrastructure minister announced First Point had been appointed to run the site after "a thorough and competitive selection process".