Panel starts review on retail policy
8th August 2018
The Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel is reviewing retail
policy in Jersey and exploring the challenges and opportunities local retailers
face. As well as the main shopping area of St. Helier, the Panel is looking at
out-of-town retail areas including St. John’s Village and Les Quennevais
Precinct.
A review of Retail Policy was undertaken by a previous
Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel in 2014 (S.R.6/2014).
The Panel’s review focussed on examining the policies and actions of the
Minister for Economic Development towards the retail sector. Some of the key
themes arising from this review were:
That the Minister, as a priority, should engage with retailers in a structured manner to work on some immediate initiatives, and underpin future plans through a new, more relevant comprehensive overarching Retail Strategy.
Online competition represents the most significant challenge to Jersey’s “high street” retailers.
Other challenges faced include issues around the uneven playing field for local retailers against off-island online competition, disproportionate and/or long planning processes, unnecessary red tape and numerous parking constraints.
Maximising the physical attraction and the ease of moving through town were identified as important means of encouraging people to choose
to shop locally.
The Panel will be following up on the accepted
recommendations made in the previous review in order to assess what progress
has been made in this area. The Panel is seeking evidence from retailers, the
public and stakeholders on this issue and encourages people to write in with
their comments [details below].
Deputy Kirsten Morel, Chair of the Panel, said: “We often
see news stories about the struggling retail sector in Jersey and we want to
explore why that is. Is it because of high rents, parking difficulties or an
increase in people turning to online shopping? Our review will explore all of
these issues and our findings, with recommendations, will be published within
the next few months.”
Written submissions can be sent via email to scrutiny@gov.je or by letter to: The Scrutiny
Office, Morier House, Halkett Place, St. Helier, JE1 1DD
Back to news