ST Helier’s new Constable has given her backing to making West’s Centre a vibrant place for events following calls from local businesses in the area.
Shop owners and café operators told the JEP that while the square has hosted successful events in the past, it receives less attention than other parts of town and would benefit from a more regular programme to boost footfall.
Lauren Clark (36), who runs furniture store Mypad with her father, said the parish had tended to concentrate events and social activities elsewhere in town.
“The main focus seems to be on that area but not much goes on in the [West’s Centre] square. It just needs a bit more of a push up this way to get people to walk up there.”
While Ms Clark said MyPad continued to benefit from loyal customers and a strong online presence, she noted that footfall had “fallen dramatically” since the business had first opened.
Shayne Heys, manager of café, bar and pizzeria Red House, which has a music school next door, said that it could often be “quiet” in the area.
“There needs to be more things to bring people down to this end of town, particularly on the weekends and in summer.”
He added that, as well as attracting more visitors to the area, more events would potentially provide an opportunity for Red House’s next-door music school to showcase students’ talents.
MyDogify owner Ella Picot (27) agreed that West’s Centre was under-utilised as an events space, saying the square saw activity at Christmas but could benefit from a more consistent programme throughout the year.
Newly-elected Constable of St Helier Inna Gardiner agreed that bringing more footfall to the square was “important”, adding that broadening the parish’s events programme into new spaces is something she is “planning to do” as “events need to be spread across the town… to ease stress from other places in the town”.
She added that she plans to speak to businesses to ask what type of events they’d like to see.
Elise Wetherall, the parish’s events and engagement officer, agreed that the area was an ideal location for events.
“In the past, the square has been home to Funky Friday DJ events, a giant chessboard, mini-markets, music school showcases, and will be used for the Jersey Hospice Santa Dash this year.
“It also forms a crucial part of the annual Christmas Light Switch On, as Santa’s parade begins at West’s Centre, where music and entertainment have featured for the past couple of years.
“The St Helier in Bloom team also install large, recycled planters made from euro bins in the summer months.”
