Steve Lansdown open to buying stake in airport

Billionaire Steve Lansdown called for more opportunities for private investment in Guernsey

One of Guernsey's richest residents has expressed an interest in buying a stake in the island's airport if it were to be privatised.

The States Trading Supervisory Board, which runs the airport, has started commercialising part of its operation.

Speaking to BBC Radio Guernsey's Your Voice, Your Vote podcast, billionaire Steve Lansdown said the airport "needed modernising" as he called for more opportunities for private investment.

"It's a bit of a mess up there," he said.

The current airport terminal building opened in 2004 after the old site was demolished to make space for additional aircraft stands and a passenger walkway from the new terminal.

Mr Lansdown, who co-founded financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown and owns Bristol City FC, said he wanted to see more opportunities facilitated by the States for private investment in Guernsey to "see what people can come up with".

"There's a lot of people living on this island who have wealth and if there was an opportunity to do so they would invest in the island," he said.

"There's an opportunity to look at privatising things like the airport, and even Aurigny, to ease up on the States budget that everyone is fighting over."

Guernsey Airport is operated by Guernsey Ports and the States Trading Supervisory Board

He said of the airport facilities: "It could do with a good hotel up there, for pilots and early morning flights and people stuck by fog."

Mr Lansdown also suggested UK government plans to change non-domicile tax status rules in the Budget could lead to an influx of wealthy people moving to Guernsey.

"Non-dom" describes a UK resident whose permanent home - or domicile - for tax purposes is outside the UK.

Mr Lansdown said: "I think it will bring more people here. Those people will want to invest in Guernsey."

In 2019 Mr Lansdown bought the hotel from the Vermeulen family

In 2019, the billionaire bought the Grande Mare Hotel and demolished the original structure with the intention of building a "luxury golf resort".

The golf course is due to open in 2026, while the country club and accommodation and wider resort was expected to open in 2027.

Speaking about the project, Mr Lansdown described it as a "nightmare" so far.

During the redevelopment of the site, concerns were raised by residents about the pylons that were built for the driving range at the course.

Planning delays

Mr Lansdown said: "The planning process was poor, the States needs to streamline that process and make it more direct.

"It was a big hold-up at the beginning.

"There were so many consultations and it got the point with Jim Rowles, the head of planning, where I said 'it's a yes or no, you're either going to give me permission or not'."

Director of Planning, Jim Rowles said: “With a project of this magnitude in such a sensitive area it was inevitable that there was a requirement to consult with other bodies for their views and to ensure that sufficient information dealing with the key issues was presented.

"Although this process may consequently at times have appeared complex and to not have moved as rapidly as the applicant desired, we are pleased that the project, which is recognised as economically significant for Guernsey, was successfully agreed and that it is being implemented on site."

'Big project'

Mr Lansdown said there had also been issues with supply chains and high inflation which led to problems for the project.

But he promised the resort would help bring tourists to the island.

"This is a big project, and the course is looking fantastic," he said.

"It will be an international PGA registered course, it will be top draw."

Speaking about the management of tourism in the island, Mr Lansdown said he was waiting to see how the establishment of the Tourism Management Board impacted the sector.

Set up in 2022, the board is an organisation made up of people working in the tourism sector.

Mr Lansdown said: "My feeling with the tourism industry is I'd prefer the States not to look at it and focus on things like education and health."

The latest figures show about 1% of the States budget in 2023 was spent on tourism.

Mr Lansdown added the most important thing the States could do was providing good air and sea links to the island.