- The future of the area at Charing Cross has taken several years to be resolved
- The Co-op finally got plans to extend its store, build a Premier Inn and retain four historic buildings
- Work has started, with scaffolding erected at several of the buildings
- Does Jersey need a Premier Inn? Take part in our poll below
PRELIMINARY work to secure historic buildings at Charing Cross is under way to prepare for the redevelopment of the site.
Scaffolding has been erected around several old buildings in Pitt Street and Dumaresq Street as Co-op prepares to refurbish the structures as part of its plans to remodel its Charing Cross store.
The plans, which also include the construction of a Premier Inn hotel above the main shop, were approved in December.
An early version of the scheme was rejected as it was felt that too many of the historic buildings would be lost.
The approved plans include the retention of four of the six historic properties that form part of the site. Three of those buildings have been given to the National Trust for Jersey, which has previously campaigned to prevent any loss of the historic buildings in the area, for restoration.
Co-op’s chief executive Colin Macleod said: ‘We’ve been able to erect scaffolding, which will be up for the next several months to shore up and protect the structural integrity of those buildings to get them ready for refurbishment.
‘This phase is about making those buildings safe before we go on and commence refurbishment. As things currently stand we have submitted our building regulations and hope to start on site early next year.’
Under the plans the His Master’s Voice mural on the corner of the two streets is due to be restored. Previously the Co-op has said that around 83 per cent of the work will be carried out by Jersey companies, providing employment for about 300 people.
The inclusion of a Premier Inn on the site has been welcomed by the Island’s new tourism body, Visit Jersey.
THIS time last year there was a protest at the Co-op’s annual general meeting over what it intended to do with Charing Cross.
Islanders with placards gathered at Hautlieu School, where the meeting was held, to campaign for the restoration of historic St Helier buildings owned by the business.
The demonstration, which called for run-down historic properties in Pitt Street and Dumaresq Street to be saved, was led by artist Karen Le Roy Harris, a great-granddaughter of Francis Foot who once owned the ‘Foot building’ in Dumaresq Street, which features a mural of Nipper the dog, the symbol of His Master’s Voice.
Mrs Le Roy Harris said: ‘Originally my great-grandad owned and ran a shop there and then it was run by my grandpa, so obviously there’s a family link to the buildings. ‘But beyond that this was about preserving some important historic buildings.
‘It was good to talk to people going into the meeting to raise awareness about the buildings.
‘Some people were very supportive and there have been other online campaigns before, so in general it seemed we were well supported.’
The artist, who lives in London but is working for the Jersey Arts Trust for a few months, said that she felt it was possible to restore the buildings while making the area commercially viable as a spot for small, new companies.
‘It’s not just about making some pretty buildings – they can be turned into businesses,’ Mrs Le Roy Harris said.
‘Hue Street is a good example of how restoration can work.
