IT wasn’t just democracy enjoying a good day on Sunday… with polling stations busy across the Island and temperatures balmy, businesses near voting venues reported a welcome boost in trade as candidates, voters and parish officials fuelled up with coffees, breakfast baps and cold drinks.
In St Clement, Christian Hill, general manager of the Le Hocq Inn, said it had been “good for us, great for democracy”.
He said he had not been in the Island for long, and had “heard that not a lot of people voted over here”, so had therefore been pleasantly surprised to see a steady stream of voters heading into the nearby parish hall.
Many arrived at the pub ready for a celebratory drink and bite to eat sporting their “I’m a voter” stickers after casting their ballots, adding to the election-day atmosphere.
Meanwhile, tucked away at the back of the pub, parish officials were enjoying a well-earned carvery laid on by the team at Le Hocq Inn – a small reward after a long day helping to keep election day running smoothly.
“It’s been a great experience,” he said.
Over at Le Hocq Shack, Angela Nicolle and Sophie Cornish said the combination of sunny weather and election-day footfall had made for a busy day – a boom made all the better when contrasted against the “high winds last week and the road closures previously” which had stifled footfall, Ms Nicolle said.
She said that the breakfast baps had been particularly popular among candidates, parish officials and voters.
Teas and coffees were also flowing in the morning, while chilled bottles of water were in high demand as temperatures heated up.
Among those keeping the kiosk busy were Reform Jersey candidates Mick Robbins and Noah Jervis, who had been stationed at St Clement Parish Hall since the polls opened at 8am – and weren’t planning on leaving their spot for the whole day.
Their day got off to a promising start with breakfast rolls from the kiosk – although Mr Robbins’ didn’t last long after it was reportedly stolen by a seagull.
The pair were also full of praise for parish officials, who they said had kept candidates supplied with tea, coffee and soft drinks throughout the day.
Meanwhile, in St Brelade, nearby pubs and restaurants including the Tenby, Boathouse and Old Court House were all enjoying a busy Sunday afternoon – although whether that was down to democracy or simply the return of sunshine after a blustery week is open to debate.
