12 July 2006
The Council of Ministers has today agreed new policy for the development of Jersey’s retail industry in the future.
Proposed by the Minister of Economic Development, Senator Philip Ozouf, the policy is designed to strike a balance between limiting the impact on established Jersey retail businesses and giving local shoppers the benefits of increased competition.
It is an incremental approach, which means that new retail outlets may be allowed but only after analysis shows that they can bring benefit to the Island. Even then, their size will be limited so they do not unfairly compete with established businesses.
The Ministers today examined the proposals and decided that they would support States policy for economic growth, low inflation and providing jobs for local people.
Senator Ozouf said: “Following the earlier publication of the Experian Report, this new policy has been developed following considerable consultation with stakeholders, including consumers, retailers and suppliers. Detailed consideration has been given as to how to get the balance right between the need for increased competition and growth and the impact this might have on existing retailers in St Helier. The potential new space guidelines are significantly less that than the Experian report had recommended.
“We have set-out a solution which should benefit both shoppers and shopkeepers. Consumers will be pleased because it should allow for greater competition in the retail sector and more choice. Retailers will be encouraged by the incremental approach which allows the impact of new space to be controlled and monitored.”
The framework will be used to guide decisions made under both Regulation of Undertakings and Planning Laws. Within the next few weeks, both the Economic Development and Planning Minister will set-out how the framework could be implemented into policy decisions. This will include the specifics of how the Regulations of Undertaking Law could be used to license businesses taking up new space. However, a commitment has already been made clear that the Regulation of Undertaking and Housing Laws will be applied in a similar manner as to that of recent years when over 90% of all new jobs covered by new licences are for locals with over 5 year residency.
A copy of the report is attached here.
For more information, contact Senator Philip Ozouf on 07797713838
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