Jersey Chamber of Commerce Press Release – Call for action
Jersey Chamber members, across many sectors, are calling for quicker action in our economic recovery to help avoid more financial pain across the island.
David Seymour, Managing Director of Seymour Hotels, is clear that greater awareness of the expediency to act is required by our Government to resolve the blockages to return to better trading conditions:
“These have been increasingly difficult times for the hospitality industry as our businesses face three consecutive ‘winters’ of trade. We need the Government to understand that damage to this industry affects the entire island and therefore urgency of action is required of them. Greater speed in resolving the bottleneck on testing at our Ports and clarity of a date to open our borders will allow businesses the chance to plan effectively. The visitor economy is one that the island cannot afford to lose, so let’s start speeding up that decision-making process and get on with it.”
Daphne East, Chamber Retail & Supply Committee Chair, points to the effects tourists have on other sectors:
“The £280m visitor economy is vital to both the retail and supply sectors of Jersey’s economy. Local wholesalers rely heavily on vibrant hospitality sectors through the summer season and retailers rely on the visitors to purchase local gifts and food supplies in addition to shopping in our independent outlets. Without a summer season we will see additional pressure on wholesale to make it through the bleak winter, and retailers will struggle with reduced footfall from off island.”
Jennifer Carnegie, Chamber President, has been working with many of the businesses affected by COVID-19:
“I fully understand their frustrations with the seemingly slow pace of decision making given the tiny number of cases in the island. We heard from the CEO of Visit Jersey this week that having no visitor economy right now is costing the island £500 per minute! We are urging and supporting our Government to think and act quickly, to safely revitalise the economy without delay.”