Gorey is a perfect example of what has happened to a once-lovely Island location.
The heart of the village has been changed forever by the property developers. Only the all-too-narrow village streets, overpopulated by an ever-increasing number of vehicles, hundreds of which line the even narrower pavements 24/7, remain.
The approach to the heart of the village today would be unrecognisable to the visitor of yesteryear, who today would wonder what happened to the regular boat service to and from the nearby French ports – up to three ferries a day at the height of the season.
What would they make of the huge apartment block under construction in the very centre of the village on the site of the Old Court House Hotel?
The popular Jersey Potteries with its famous garden restaurant, where our very own Queen lunched on a memorable visit, is no more, replaced by yet another, albeit attractive, housing development. And immediately across the road is a gaping hole, until recently the site of the Beach Hotel, now razed to the ground prior to redevelopment.
Long gone are the bucket-and-spade, happy-family brigade, never to return. The rare visitors these days are mostly ‘golden oldies’ looking for a ‘blast from the past’.
Gorey, circa 2017, will be known as somewhere to park your 4×4, van or car overnight as the overspill along the coast from town edges slowly eastwards.
How many more visitors are the States aiming for and where will they all be accommodated?
Not Gorey, and that’s for sure.
Supply and Demand or Demand and Supply?
Take your pick.
