Thursday 18 June 2020
Guernsey's beautiful seafront will again be a space for islanders to enjoy as the Quay will continue to be used in new ways on weekends until at least the end of June.
The Quay will be closed from 10.30am-1pm on Saturday so that the Black Lives Matter protest can be held in a safe location. Following the protest, the Quay will remain pedestrianised until 7.30pm on Sunday. Al fresco dining will again be a feature after it proved popular with islanders last weekend.
The pedestrian-focused pilot scheme has aimed to capture some of the benefits that many have enjoyed during lockdown and use the picturesque seafront as a space for businesses to utilise and pedestrians to enjoy.
Following discussions with the Chamber of Commerce, feedback from its members has been supportive. Businesses have welcomed the use of prime areas for family-style gatherings and enjoyment, and the feedback received is that this should be prioritised in the coming weeks.
Steve le Poidevin of Balthazar said:
"It has been challenging times but we are grateful to the States for its support. Our customers have enjoyed being able to sit outside with views of our beautiful harbour and we hope they will continue to be able to enjoy this throughout the summer."
In addition to changes at the Quay, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure also agreed to again close Church Square to traffic from 10am on Saturday until 7am Monday morning. The Blue Badge accessible bays and the taxi rank will be temporarily relocated to The Albany (South Esplanade) and additional accessible parking will also be provided along the Quay on Saturday. To support social distancing, the Lower Pollet will be pedestrianised from 7:30pm - midnight on Friday.
The Committee also agreed to make similar changes on the final weekend in June, with Church Square closed to traffic from 10am on Saturday 27th June until 7am on Monday 29th June. The Quay will again be used for the benefit of pedestrians from 10am-7.30pm on Sunday 28th June.
