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Suggestions that millions of pounds in additional Treasury income – generated from changes to the GST threshold for imported goods – should be re-invested into town have been bolstered by the hospitality sector's main representative body.
Ana and Marcus Calvani, Co-CEOs of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said that if extra money was being generated through online sales "it would be better to see some of that being used to improve our town centre" instead of being "swallowed up in the government’s accounts".
Their comments come after Jersey's Chamber of Commerce CEO Murray Norton suggested that the GST "windfall" reported earlier this year could be invested in island businesses and "making St Helier more attractive for shoppers".
It had previously been estimated that the drop in the island's 'de minimis' level last year – the threshold at which the Goods and Services Tax is charged on goods bought outside of the island – would net Jersey's Government around £1.1m annually.
However, the new rules have added at least £4m to the island's coffers since July 2023.
Pictured: Mr and Mrs Calvani said that the additional funds would be better used to support the town centre.
Acknowledging Mr Norton's call for investment in the high-street, Mr and Mrs Calvani said: “For our industry, having a thriving town centre is critical not only for locals to visit and use, but also for holiday makers who are looking for something fun and a bit different.
"There are multiple synergies between retail and hospitality. They complement each other as shoppers need somewhere to go for lunch, to get a drink or an ice cream.
"That’s how our members add vitality to the centre of town."
The JHA Co-CEOs continued: "We have many members who are based in town and if extra money is being generated through online sales it would be better to see some of that being used to improve our town centre rather than see it being swallowed up in the government’s accounts.
"We know there are loads of priorities competing for spending, but our town centre needs investment."
Pictured: The Co-CEOs of the JHA said there were "loads of priorities competing for spending", but that "our town centre needs investment".
Mr and Mrs Calvani added: "We might have worried that after lockdown everyone was going to work from home and St Helier might follow other places and become a ghost town.
"But that didn’t happen, people came back, and they want to be able to get into town quickly and easily and enjoy it when they get there.
"A vibrant town centre is absolutely what locals want and what the island needs if it’s going to continue to attract visitors who come here for work and for pleasure.”
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