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A growing number of companies are showing interest in holding events on the Albert Pier – which is being turned into more of a community space following its refurbishment – according to one of Ports of Jersey's top officials.
In the latest issue of Connect magazine, Head of Maritime Operations Louise Stafford cited an annual festival and regular markets as some of the ways the pier could be better used as a community space.
The area has undergone major changes in recent years, including the removal of the ageing terminal building and a multi-million pound refurbishment.
Ms Stafford said: "It used to be a commercial pier – we used to have a passenger terminal and passenger ferries running in.
"That’s all removed, and we’ve co-located everything to Elizabeth, as it makes sense to have one facility that provides a more premium arrivals-departures experience."
Pictured: Ports of Jersey's Head of Maritime Operations, Louise Stafford.
She continued: "So, we thought, how can we use that Albert space, focusing on the community? Can we open it up for more events?
"We were starting to get more and more interest for events to start there or be held there. For a long time the Dragon Boat Festival has always been held there, and we’re developing interest from similar parties."
A Spanish food festival was recently held on the pier to celebrate the arrival of Nao Victoria, a replica of the first vessel to circumnavigate the world.
"People I don't think fully recognise it yet as an area to use so we need to encourage that use first and then see what the demand is," Ms Stafford explained.
"We’re really, really keen to promote local, so, can we have a regular Genuine Jersey market down there? Could we maybe have an annual festival down there?"
Pictured: A Spanish market was held on the Albert Pier to coincide with the Nao Victoria's visit last month.
"The work we've been doing with the last couple of replica vessels, like the Nao Victoria coming in, we’ve put on a bit of a Spanish-themed festival to celebrate that coming in because it’s lovely to see these kinds of replica vessels coming into the harbour," she added.
A large mural was recently painted on a German bunker at the Albert Pier, and Ports have also put forward plans for an array of "floating accommodation pods", which could become available for rent by tourists, visitors and locals.
Ms Stafford continued: "It’s about making sure that there’s an extra experience when you arrive."
Louise Stafford featured in Connect Magazine's Unplugged feature, which first appeared in the August edition.
You can find Connect around the island or read the digital edition below...
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