The new app lets users choose a preferred home page layout, each option showing the various sections of the phonebook. Users can save their ‘Favourites’ so they can access their most used numbers more efficiently. The app also has an ‘Around Me’ feature, where users can see nearby businesses, restaurants and cafes based on their location.
Mike Fawkner Corbett, Head of Consumer Product at Sure, said: “We know that many islanders still rely on the printed phonebook for local contact information, but it’s important in an increasingly digital world that the information included is also available in an accessible way online. Previously, customers could use the directory website but the app will provide a user experience specifically for mobile and tablet devices.
“The app has been designed with the local community and businesses in mind, so it will allow people to search for local companies and service providers by business sector, check live flight information from Guernsey Airport, as well as searching the white pages for individual contact information. We hope that the app will encourage people to interact with the phonebook more regularly.”
The Guernsey directory website has also been given a new lease of life and now includes a section called ‘Explore Guernsey’ which features lifestyle articles highlighting upcoming events and things to see and do in the island, as well as an interview series with local business professionals called ‘Coffee break chat’.
This year the cover of the phonebook was chosen through a public competition and the winning image was selected by a judging panel including local professional photographer Chris George.
The competition’s theme was ‘your favourite local scene’ and this proved popular among islanders, with more than 200 entries received.
Karen Langlois captured the winning photograph, which featured Farmer Robert Waters’ Guernsey cows from La Petite Croute Farm in the Castel. Mr Waters is a local dairy farmer and was pleased that the phonebook will highlight the iconic local breed and the importance of dairy farming to the island.
Mrs Langlois’ image was selected from a final shortlist of four; two images were selected by Sure staff and the remaining two had accumulated the most likes on Sure’s Facebook page.
The phonebook is free and is available from Sure’s high street shop, Envoy House shop and Centenary House office, Alliance, Earlswood Garden Centre, Forest Stores, Iceland in St. Martins, Le Friquet Garden Centre, St Peters Food Hall and the Waitrose Rohais and Admiral Park branches.
‘The Sure Guernsey Directory’ app can be downloaded for free via the App store or the Google play store.
The new website can be found here: www.theguernseydirectory.com