'Shame on you': Havre Des Pas Lido protesters take to The Royal Square

Campaigners have staged a demonstration in the Royal Square about the future of the Havre des Pas Lido.

'Shame on you', 'Listen to the people', and 'Halt the process now' could all be read on banners and placards at The Royal Square this afternoon.

Islanders gathered to protest about the future of the Havre des Pas Lido.

The show of support was organised to coincide with an expected States debate about the bathing pool.

Chloe has worked at the Lido she she was 17:

"When I started working there it wasn't a community like there is today.

"There wasn't a group of swimmers that go every day - there is now.

"It's a real community of locals that just want to enjoy the sea, even if they did have a new tenant, we would lose that. 

"It's so important that it's for the people of Jersey, and we've seen that grow, to lose that would be such a disappointment."

Sally Milly-Gravett, governor of Love our Lido and renowned Jersey swimmer, told Channel 103:

"We want to run that place for the community.

"We're not going to be a money-making business. The new operators officially are money-making people, and they won't do it for the community. 

She addressed Constable for St Helier, Simon Crowcroft as he spoke to the crowds:

"You need to listen to the people, not to the people who want to make money.

"We are the people who want to use that pool. I guarantee that if it doesn't go to the right people, none of these people will step foot there again."

Deputy David Warr is aiming to block a deal with a private operator.

However, a vote has been postponed until the sitting scheduled for 25 November.

Deputy Warr wants the community group 'Love Our Lido' to be handed the lease for the bathing pool, along with £170,000 a year of public money to maintain it.

But a request to lift States rules to have the debate today (12 November) failed, with ministers saying they want more time to consider the concerns raised at a recent public meeting.

Constable Andy Jehan said:

"Currently, on the face of it, we do not consider the Love Our Lido's concerns to amount to valid reasons to question the process. 

But, out of respect to the group, we would rather look at those concerns raised by the group in greater detail, and respond to them before the debate."

Separately, the Charity Commissioner has made a rare statement to clear up doubt over the potential future charity-status of Love Our Lido.

John Mills says agreeing the terms of a lease is the only obstacle to confirming its registration:

"I wish to place on record that there was no regulatory impediment to the charity being formed.

"The necessary arrangements for registration had been agreed with Love our Lido. The only obstacle arose from concerns expressed by the prospective charity governors regarding the terms of the proposed agreement with the Government of Jersey.

"The prospective governors were duty-bound to seek to ensure that the charity which they intended to establish had a secure financial foundation. This includes clarity on taxpayers funding and full transparency regarding all costs and obligations associated with operation of the Lido. That remains the position."