Longstanding market shop embroiled in 'red tape' battle

Thursday 09 March 2023

Islanders have been showing their support for a longstanding Central Market shop that has been engaged in a series of spats with authorities over market regulations.

Red Triangle Stores, which was owned by the family of former States Member John Farley MBE from 1952 until it was sold by his family to the current owner, Sheila Baudains, in 2015, has been trading since the 1930s.

However, in recent years, the shop has been facing significant challenges - most of which stem from market authorities, according to Sheila.

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Tom Binet, who has political responsibility for public buildings, has accused Red Triangle Stores of being "the only... stallholder in the market that is failing to meet a basic obligation of their lease" despite the "help and support" of senior officers. 

But Sheila says that this relates to a series of health and safety compliance demands which have crippled her business.

Specifically, Sheila explained that the store has recently been prevented from displaying stock against the market railings, which it has done for many decades, due to a health and safety regulation which requires 1.8m of clear space for people to traverse - chiefly as a safety measure in the event of a fire. As a result, Red Triangle Stores has been forced to move its stock out of the pathway and closer to the store. 

She was told that if this issue was not resolved, her lease would not be renewed. 

Rosanne Louis, who works in Red Triangle Stores, said: "We had people coming in yesterday asking, 'So are you closed?' People are used to seeing all it all laid out, and they browse and sales have gone right down." 

Shelia added: "It's had a real knock on the business... I left one morning and, by the time I came back at 12:30, we hadn't even taken £100." 

Pictured: The newly arranged stock. 

Sheila stated that she has consulted fire safety officers who claimed her previous arrangement was well within Jersey regulations.

She also claimed that she has previously been unfairly prevented from placing plastic on the railings opposite the store to protect her stock from the elements, and that the market has not followed through on a promise to undertake crucial maintenance. 

According to Sheila, the store requires £20,000 worth of wiring maintenance, which she was told would be undertaken by the Market. 

She said: "Before covid, I was trying to build up the business - building it up, building it up, building it up. I wanted the shop to be like it was. We always like to say that the only thing you can't get is the kitchen sink.

"But things have one downhill from there. I've kept prices as low as I can, but where I am now, I don't know if I'm going to be able to provide the same service." 

Pictured: Sheila Baudains, the owner of Red Triangle Stores. 

Sheila stated she had been in contact with Deputy Tom Binet and Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel about the issue. According to Sheila, Deputy Binet will not meet her again to discuss it.

On Tuesday, a concerned islander posted on the Facebook group 'Jersey Ask! Advise! Advertise!' that the store was struggling amidst constant red-tape battles with the market management, prompting a flood of support from islanders for the iconic store. The post was 'liked' by more than 200 people, and received dozens of comments.

One supporter said: "That’s the most 'Jersey' shop in the island. If that goes, Jersey is over."

Another suggested that islanders should "flood the higher-ups" with official complaints of wrongful conduct and harassment. 

Contacted for comment on the ongoing dispute, the Infrastructure Minister said: “I was pleased to meet many of the tenants recently as we’re just starting out on an exciting project to revitalise the markets.

"The stall holders do excellent work there, and the majority are exemplary in the way they comply with the terms of their leases."

However, he added: "Red Triangle Stores is the only remaining stallholder in the market that is failing to meet a basic obligation of their lease. This is despite a number of visits over several months from several Ministers and senior officers, all of whom offered help and support. Red Triangle Stores has still failed to comply.

"As the landlord, the Government has a clear duty to ensure basic standards of maintenance are met so that customers and other stall holders’ safety is ensured.

"Currently there is only one outstanding issue with Red Triangle, which we are hoping can be resolved in the next couple of weeks.”

Pictured top: Sheila Baudains outside Red Triangle Stores.