Guernsey Cultural Venue Faces Closure Amid Funding Shortfall

The management team of a cultural establishment in Guernsey has indicated that the site’s continued existence is limited to approximately one year without securing further financial support. St James, situated in St Peter Port and known for hosting various events, including concerts, reported its failure to obtain the desired funding within the forthcoming budget. Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, who serves as the chair of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, has proposed a budget amendment seeking an extra £151,000 from reserves to maintain the venue’s operation. Jon Bisson, the director of St James, stated that the team would be compelled to “tread very carefully” in the absence of additional funding, with the venue confronting the possibility of closure. St James commenced its existence in 1818 as a chapel for Elizabeth College, but its original purpose ceased in 1970. In 1981, an association was established to convert the structure into a concert and assembly hall, leading to the venue’s official reopening four years subsequent to its formation. The venue presently receives a grant of £63,500 from the States; however, the site’s operational team asserts that this amount must be raised to £215,000 for continued functioning. Mr Bisson indicated that elements such as the coronavirus pandemic have had an effect on the venue. He further mentioned that without the supplementary funding, the 2025 schedule would be a “St James light” programme. Mr Bisson remarked: “I think that we would have about another year left with the reserves that we’ve got.” He continued: “We can’t trade if we’re not in liquidity so we can’t raise debt or borrow money, so we have to tread very carefully.” Ms Dudley-Owen expressed her view that the venue represents a “vital” facility that ought to remain open. She acknowledged that the States’ financial standing was not robust for various reasons, yet stressed the importance of facilities like St James to the island. Ms Dudley-Owen declared: “It’s uplifting, it’s heart-warming, it’s absolutely essential for our wellbeing.” The Deputies are scheduled to commence discussions on the 2025 budget on 5 November, with a vote anticipated to occur later in the same week. The States of Guernsey has been contacted for a statement.