Jersey’s only cultural centre dedicated to celebrating the island’s Portuguese community has closed its doors – just eight months after it opened in the former ROJO nightclub building.
The Portugal Sport and Cultural Centre on Beresford Street opened its doors to the public in December.
But the man behind the project, Gilberto Franco, has now decided to close up shop citing the large operating costs of the three-storey building.
It will come as sad news for regular customers of the multi-functional space’s offering of Portuguese food and events, but Mr Franco said: “People understand the situation.”
The cultural centre co-founder, who is also managing director of Hampton Estates, was keen to emphasise that this is not the end for the business.
He described the closure as more of a “pause” as he looks for a new building to re-open in St Helier.
We haven’t given up… but we need a smaller building
Gilberto Franco, Portugal Sport and Cultural Centre co-founder
“The building was too big and too costly,” explained Mr Franco, who is from Funchal and moved to the island 54 years ago.
He noted the electricity bill alone for the former ROJO site cost £1,500 per month.
But Mr Franco said committee members are in “advanced negotiations” to secure a new, smaller location for the community centre – but he could not share a timeline.
Despite the search for a new home, Mr Franco said that the aim of the cultural centre will “remain the same” in providing a central hub for Portuguese islanders and allowing others to discover the language, music, food and lifestyle.
“We haven’t given up,” he added. “The aim is the same but we need a smaller building.”