Bunker To Become Museum And Welcome Centre

The St Catherine's bunker is set to be turned into a museum and welcome centre.

Ports of Jersey has accepted a proposal from Jersey War Tours and Jersey Seafaris to take over the lease from Jersey Turbot

In October, it invited expressions of interest, seeking businesses willing to 'enhance the offering for tourists'.

The site was once used or German forces and incorporated two heavy machine gun bunkers, shelters, anti-tank defences and a tunnel.

The two chosen businesses want to use the wartime bunker, tunnels and outside area to create a tourist hub offering an 'immersive and educational experience'.

Ports of Jersey’s Events and Project Support Manager, Kim Gilbraith, said it is an exciting partnership:

"Their combined proposal will make the site accessible to all and incorporate the area into a bigger ‘land to sea’ historical tour.

The two organisations have demonstrated the knowledge, resources and passion to transform and preserve the tunnels and we look forward to working with them to realise their plans.

St Catherine's war tunnels hold a profound historical significance, and we felt that this proposal demonstrated a clear and achievable plan that fits in well with the area.”

Phil Marett from Jersey War Tours said it has 'great supporters backing us', indicating that they will be guided by the Channel Islands Occupation Society - a charity which works to preserve the island's World War II heritage.

Dan Luce from Jersey Seafaris said it is looking forward to working on the project:

 “ This rare opportunity will showcase our impressive wartime and maritime history in a magnificent setting. We hope to involve the community through the restoration journey so that this project benefits locals and tourists for years to come.”

' St Catherine's Bunker' Facebook and Instagram pages have already been set up and are promising to document the work.

 

 

 

 

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