Fish 'n' Beads: "It's not all about the money"

Tuesday 10 April 2018

The owner of Fish 'n' Beads has hit out at comments from an independent planning inspector who described the St. Brelade's Bay jewellery making cabin as making only a "negligible" contribution to the economy, saying that the value of the shop goes beyond any money it can bring.

Tina Ellis-Brecknell, who has been running Fish 'n Beads since 2001, said she was left heartbroken when she read what Jonathan King, a Planning Inspector brought in to hear the Wayside appeal, had written about Fish'n' Beads in his report.

Addressing concerns about the Fish 'n' Beads shack, which will be destroyed as part of the development of the Wayside Café, Mr King described the shop as "a tiny, seasonal business lacking any vehicular access or basic infrastructure, whose practical contribution to the economy of the Island must be negligible." 

Mr King added that islanders' fond feelings towards the business weren't reason enough to dismiss the planning application. "From the representations I have seen, it is a business clearly appreciated by a number of customers who would mourn its loss, but I consider it would be unreasonable to frustrate the Island Plan’s strategic approach to development in the Built-up Area by reference to it. It would accord to it disproportionate weight in the overall balance," he wrote.

Tina Ellis-Brecknel said she was left in tears when she read Mr King's comment. She explained that running the shop is a one-woman operation, as it is mainly just her working there, and sometimes students in the summer, "I can only offer a small amount of employment" she admitted. She also said that while the shop does not have its own parking spaces, it is located along the promenade where a number of buses stop and that parking is taken care of "by other parts of the bay." 

Pictured: Tina Ellis-Brecknell has been running the Fish 'n' Beads shop since 2001.

She added: "We are a humble shack but Mr King has not been down here on a busy summer day in the last 15 years. He has absolutely no idea of what we do or what we offer. He mentions that we are small and do not contribute to the economy of the island and do not employ on a significant scale. Yes, we are small but there are many, as he puts it 'tiny businesses' all over the world which are often seasonal in holiday destinations. They are often small, family-run businesses not employing many staff. "Make hay when the sun shines," comes to mind. Jersey, again like other parts of the world, is seasonal, it’s a long quiet winter."

Since the development has been approved, announcing an end to Tina's presence in the bay, her customers have rushed to the Fish 'n' Beads Facebook page to show their support. Some of them have written how they come back every year to visit the shack and browse its selection of handmade crafts, all sourced from local artists, potters and craft people. Clare Glover wrote: "We stumbled upon you by chance after a walk down the beautiful bay. We popped in because everything about Fish n Beads was welcoming, unique and inviting... We've been back to visit your store many times and were so sad to read that you have to move. When we visit Jersey we will continue to visit you wherever you may be. I am a tourist, I purposely visit you and am always excited to do so."

Pictured: Some of Fish 'n' Beads customers are visitors who love to come back to the shop every year.

But it's not just visitors who love Fish 'n' Beads, islanders do too. Kate Roberts commented: "My little girl loves coming and creating bracelets etc, would be such a shame to say goodbye to such a great little local business! (sic)" Tina Bee also chimed in writing to Mrs Ellis-Brecknell: "You bring brightness, fun, care and creativity to our Island lovely."

For Mrs Ellis-Brecknell, those comments show that the value of Fish 'n' Beads goes far beyond the money it makes. She said: "Mr King describes Fish 'n' Beads as being insignificant in the world of big businesses yes but for what we do I disagree. I have five books full of amazing comments. Some people say the shack is their favourite place in the Bay. It is such a special, spirited little shack. It is not about the money and the car park. Mr King has not spoken to me to enquire about the type of business and activity we offer local islanders and visitors from all over the world who love what they see, make and experience from in the words of Mr King 'this basic infrastructure.' I am fascinated that a report can be written and passed with such little knowledge. It is such a special little shop!"

Pictured: The new development will include two two-storey flat blocks, on the right.

The Fish 'n' Beads owner was also disappointed to see that a development that was thrown out by local States members, could be so easily given the green light following one report. 

Plans to replace the Wayside Café site with a new restaurant, surf shop and 'high-end' accommodation were unanimously rejected by the Planning Committee in October 2017 following a hard-fought campaign by the St. Brelade's Bay Association (SBBA). The developers, Conway Tower Properties Ltd, challenged the rejection and Mr King was brought in to hear their appeal in February. He eventually concluded the development did not breach the Shoreline Zone policy as it would not obstruct "significant public views to the foreshore and sea", and that it would improve the site, rather than adversely affect it as some objectors said. After receiving Mr King's report, the Environment Minister gave the green light to the development of the Wayside Café.

Mrs Ellis-Brecknell said: "I was incredibly upset just by the fact that someone who knows nothing about the island has written a report and suddenly they passed the decision of the Planning Committee. The proverb comes to mind, 'When the last tree has been cut down...' It is happening all over the planet, soulful fishing villages have been replaced by concrete and buildings.

"30 years from now who will want to come to Jersey to walk past millionaire's houses that are empty and have no life inside of them. It's just another nail in the coffin."

Video: Tina Ellis-Brecknell in her St. Brelade's shop, which she will occupy until October 2019.

While she is sad nothing can be done to oppose the development now, Mrs Ellis-Brecknell has decided to focus on the summer season. While the new development will see her shop destroyed, her lease ends in October 2019, meaning that she still has 18 months to enjoy her views of St. Brelade's Bay. She said: "We have summer 2018 in full swing with lots of new art, beads and our boho ibizan clothes arriving soon. We still have two years to enjoy and look for new premises.

"I am having amazing support for the continuation of the shop. I have been looking at other places but I am keen to hear any suggestions or to speak to anyone who would like to go into business with me as we need coffee and food to finish off the perfect Fish ’n’ Beads experience."