St. John's Manor buyers revealed

Tuesday 18 February 2020

A retired couple, who have pledged to make St. John's Manor more environmentally friendly, and ensure it is used for the "benefit of all", have been revealed as the prestigious country estate's new owners.

Along with the purchase, John Curran Mills Richmond also takes the ancient title of 'Seigneur of St. John'.

Mr and Mrs Richmond - whose three daughters grew up on the island - commented: "We are delighted to be the latest custodians of St John’s Manor and to have secured the jobs of the dedicated staff who work there. Our first priority is to conserve the history of the Manor for future generations.

"We will work hard to reduce the Manor’s carbon footprint and its impact on climate change in a sustainable way. We believe that we all have a duty to reverse the harmful effects that we have had on the climate. We would like to continue to welcome visitors to garden open days. Our aim is to increase the bio-diversity of the gardens and land for the benefit of all.”

Pictured: The Richmond family have promised that the manor's gardens will be "for the benefit of all".

The expansive property was sold last week after nearly two years on the market. It was originally listed for £22 million, but the asking price dropped by £4.5 million to £17.5 million after 18 months passed with the property left unsold.

Although Rwandan Consul Mr John Dick previously inhabited what is considered to be one of Jersey's most iconic properties, records state it was officially owned by St. John’s Manor Limited.

As the company-owned manor was also acquired through a company, the transaction does not have to be listed in the Public Registry, which means the total amount paid for the property is not in the public domain.

However, the ‘transfer of fief’ to from St. John’s Manor’s previous owner, John Dick, to Mr Richmond has been recorded.

Pictured: Mr and Mrs Richmond said one of their priorities will be to "reduce the Manor’s carbon footprint and its impact on climate change".

A relic of the feudal system, the seigneurial title grants the owner certain ancient rights, such as being able to collect seaweed ahead of other parishioners, though it is these days mostly ceremonial in nature. 

Mr Richmond was the owner of the parent company of Freshtime UK Limited, a Lincolnshire-based supplier of salads, chilled snacks and prepared produce, which was sold for £56 million in September last year.

Records at Companies House UK suggest that Mr Richmond’s ties to the island go back further in time. 

He was appointed as a Director of meat wholesalers AS Juniper and Co Limited, whose correspondence address is listed as being on Victoria Avenue in St. Helier, Jersey, in the late 1980s.