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Why not help save existing jobs?
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From Paul Troalic.
ONE wonders at times whether our politicians really do mean what they say or just say things because they sound good. Or perhaps they don’t even think before they say things?
The headline grabber (JEP, 27 January) ‘Now let’s get Jersey working’ strikes a chord with most people who are desperately looking for work. But is it as good as it sounds? Where are the jobs to be found?
We now have over 2,500 unemployed and things look set to get a whole lot worse.
Readers may be interested in this typical little story:
My family has operated a niche gift and clothing shop at First Tower for over 25 years only to find that our lease will not be renewed. This is a problem facing many shopkeepers who are leaseholders, and finding new premises at a realistic rent is a nightmare. We have been looking for over six months and found nothing suitable in that time and the upshot is that another three more people will be out of work and will add to the total mentioned above.
Recently we thought we had found a solution with an under-utilised site in a developing area. The site is very suitable for retail as the site offers a real alternative to shopping in town that, for most people, is a no-go area with its restricted parking and intolerant parking wardens.
This seemingly perfect situation, with one retail outlet already in place, is now proving to be a real dilemma with, on the one hand, adequate additional facilities that could provide employment opportunities for a number of capable people, and on the other the powerful force of the developer wanting to capitalise on its investment.
The interesting situation here is that the successful retail and light industry businesses on the site are being completely ignored as though they did not exist (can you really take away someone’s livelihood in the interests of building yet more houses?) and in that particular parish there are more than 180 empty properties already. Does it really make sense to build (15) more houses and yet Planning are actually considering allowing this to happen?
Compare this with certain multinational businesses that are positively encouraged to set up here whatever the cost in terms of effect on local businesses and even the environment. All of this comes at a price and one that Jersey ignores at its peril.
Where will the small retailers and light industry entrepreneurs go?
Emigrate I suppose to get rid of the problem.
There is no doubt in my mind that we are continually lowering the standard of Jersey to the ultimate detriment of this beautiful Island that we say we all love.
Middle Jersey does not give a toss about Pound World, Iceland or George or any other cut-price stores. What these people want is quality and they can afford it, make no mistake.
Even the immigrant groups that have been welcomed so warmly and openly into our Island aren’t bothered – have you noticed how many specialist European shops are opening up in back streets?
The time has come to take stock. Do what we are good at, maintain the Island’s status and foster a good mix of small and large businesses so that we will attract the right people here. (Who said that? Some eminent politician I recall.)
It is impossible to be all things to all men. We must get the balance right between good value and quality of life. Building more and more houses when there are already so many empty ones, to cope with the ever-increasing population is unrealistic and will ultimately cause further pressure on our economy.
Discouraging small entrepreneurs in light industry and retail will erode the solid base on which this Island prospered. We are not, and do not want to be, a typical English city.
We need to boost job opportunities, balance immigration and the rest will follow naturally.
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