The Jersey Hospitality Association says it is 'deeply disappointed,' though 'not surprised' that the redevelopment of Fort Regent has been paused because of rising costs.
It has released a statement today (12 November) following an announcement from Ministers earlier this week that they are rethinking the future of the Fort, amid cost concerns.
A £110 million regeneration was unveiled in spring 2025, but plans have been paused to 'reassess what's affordable' and test private sector interest.
Read: 'They got our hopes up': Young islanders disappointed as Fort Regent plans stall
Ministers are now not expected to consider its future until the middle of 2027.
The JHA says:
"Unfortunately, despite widespread public support for the plans at Fort Regent, the vision presented to islanders last year was never matched by a budget that could deliver it.
"Officials learned in June, in the middle of the election period, that costs had risen enough to materially affect decisions."
It says government should give the private sector more reins in such projects, so government money can be more focused on the services only government should provide:
"Government cannot afford to deliver everything for islanders, nor should it try, and it is time to put the right things in the right places, give them the green light, give those in the private sector who are willing to take the risk the confidence to invest and then get out of the way.
"(This) would also allow government to become smaller, less costly and more focused on the services only it can provide."
It says:
"We welcome the Infrastructure Minister's openness in setting out the position and stand ready to contribute to testing private-sector interest in the site, drawing on the commercial experience the Association and its members have that this next stage will need, and we have ideas we would welcome the chance to share with Ministers."
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