Vacant Retail Units in Jersey Shopping Centre Attributed to High Rents, According to Businesses

Businesses operating within a Jersey shopping centre have indicated that numerous retail spaces are vacant due to excessive rental costs. Those working and running businesses at the Les Quennevais Precint and Parade further noted that repairs and maintenance tasks have experienced significant delays, taking what they described as “forever” to finalize. Deputy Jonathan Renouf commented on the situation, stating: “It feels like this is a place in decline, there is a sense of things being lost rather than being gained.” The majority of the retail units at this location are owned by High Tide Investments Ltd, a company based in the UK, and are managed by Maillard and Co. The BBC sought comments from both entities. The managing agents responded, stating: “We work hard in managing the repairs and maintenance including cleaning and other communal expenses.” Carina Faria, a hairdresser employed at a salon within the shopping centre, expressed that more affordable rents would invigorate the locality. She remarked: “It could be thriving, but the rents are too high and things are falling apart and they’ve just been left to fall apart.” Ms. Faria further attributed responsibility for the condition of some unoccupied shops to both the landlord and the Government of Jersey. Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce stated that the government lacks the authority to legislate on this matter. He explained: “What we don’t want to do is to be forcing people to do things.” He continued: “We have policies which encourage shops to stay as shops, but what we can’t do is move into private sector and have government come out with a big stick forcing owners of properties to do something that we wish.” Deirdre Bates, who operates a clothes shop nearby, echoed these sentiments. She commented: “We do our best to try to make the shops look as nice as possible, but it would be good to have more support from the landlord and the managing agent.” She added: “Because the rents are very high and the area isn’t looked after, new businesses don’t want to come here.” Ms. Bates recounted that damage occurred in her shop due to an external leak in 2023, and its repair had taken “forever.” She stated: “They said they would do it for me but its taking forever, it ruins the experience for customers.” The leak has since been rectified after the BBC’s conversation with Ms. Bates. Every business interviewed by the BBC within the parade and precinct conveyed dissatisfaction with High Tide Investments Ltd. The BBC contacted both High Tide Investments Ltd and its managing agents, Maillard and Co, concerning the complaints regarding elevated rents and the prolonged duration for completing repairs and maintenance. Chris Marsh, the group managing director of Maillard and Co, clarified that “effectively the commercial tenants are responsible for internal repairs.” He further explained that the commercial landlord and the owners of the residential units situated above the shops bear responsibility for the costs associated with structural repairs and communal spaces. Mr. Marsh concluded: “At the end of the day if the tenants and owners want more work done, this is possible but they will end up paying for it.” High Tide Investments Ltd has not provided a response to the BBC’s request for comment. Deputy Helen Miles expressed her belief that the government could offer more assistance to the area by prioritizing the planning framework for the west of the island. She stated: “The planning framework has a master plan for the Les Quennevais area, the environment minister does not think this is a priority. I absolutely disagree with him, I think this should be a priority.” She added: “We need greater thought on how we can actually revitalise areas such as Les Quennevais to better serve the west of the island.” Luce contended that prioritizing the west of island planning framework would have minimal impact. He remarked: “You can have a master plan that will show pictorially how good it will look, but ultimately it’s up to the landowner who owns the vast majority of that area to make a decision themselves to come forward and develop plans with the department for the benefit of everybody.”