Hospitality industry criticises pause to Fort Regent redevelopment

The Jersey Hospitality Association (JHA) has criticised the decision to put the Fort Regent redevelopment on hold, describing the move as “deeply disappointing, though sadly not surprising”.

The Government of Jersey announced this week that it would explore opportunities for private investment in the project after estimated costs rose above the £110m figure published two years ago.

Ministers are expected to revisit the scheme in 2027, once officials have assessed the cost of essential repairs and gauged potential commercial interest in the site.

The JHA said the ambitious vision presented to islanders last year had never been supported by a budget capable of delivering it.

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf declined to comment directly on the association’s criticism but said the project had always been intended to progress in stages.

He explained that funding had initially been secured for the first phase, while decisions about financing subsequent stages had been left to a future government.

“The fundamentals of the Fort are still going ahead, but on a different timescale,” he said.

The original proposals for the Grade I listed site included a 2,500-seat theatre, a 12-lane bowling alley, a six-screen cinema and a range of food and drink outlets. The redevelopment had been expected to be completed by 2029.

However, Deputy Renouf said the plans would now require an “open re-examination”, adding that it was too early to determine what the revised proposals might involve.

He said: “We are still committed though to an ambitious plan for the Fort and the funding for that has to be in place.”

The JHA said officials became aware in June that rising costs were significant enough to affect decisions about the project. It also highlighted the minister’s acknowledgement that the building had suffered from years of under-investment.

The association raised further concerns about the financial implications of the delay, pointing out that only £3.8m of the £26.1m approved for Fort Regent this year was now expected to be spent.

It warned that uncertainty surrounding the project risked undermining public confidence, business confidence and inward investment in Jersey.

Deputy Renouf said the reduction in this year’s spending reflected the postponement of work, with most activity now expected to take place next year.

He explained that budgets had been reprofiled to reflect the revised timetable.

The JHA also reiterated the importance of tourism to Jersey’s economy, noting that the sector generates more than £260m annually.

It renewed its call for the island to commit at least £10m a year to destination marketing, arguing that sustained investment was essential to supporting the visitor economy.