Ministerial Decision
Policing of Beaches (Jersey) Regulations 1959
New beach trading concession St Aubin’s Bay
Under the Policing of Beaches (Jersey) Regulations 1959, regulation 3 (1)(d), a person requires written permission from the Minister to engage in trading on the beach.
In response to the application from Jersey Premier Beach Hire to operate a new beach concession, based adjacent to the following locations Old Station Café, The Gunsite, Bel Royal Slipway and La Haule Slipway. As with all new applications of this nature a full consultation process was undertaken with the Constables of the relevant Parishes.
Overview Of Proposed Operation
Concession Type:
The basic premise of the concession will focus on the hire of beach-side land equipment with a modern feel. The intention is to bring something different in the form of pre-assembled beach cabana type areas for daily hire. These will consist of 2x3 metre curtained gazebos each housing comfortable and modern lounging areas, 2 sunloungers and a low table. The cabanas are completely portable and would be removed at the end of each day. This would offer something that is not available on the Island and would bring a touch of luxury and added relaxation to the beach. Aside from this the operation would also offer traditional deck chairs, individual sunloungers, windbreaks and beach umbrellas.
Concession Location:
The intention is to operate between four places along the St Aubins bay these are:
Old Station Cafe
The Gunsite
Bel Royal
La Haule
Availability:
The operation is looking at an "On Demand" system were by equipment would distributed across these positions based on conditions on the day i.e more sunloungers at gunsite if it's busier that particular day. The Gunsite and The Old Station would be the main positions and the locations of the Cabanas.
Equipment:
At start-up it is envisaged that equipment available to hire will consist of:
5 Cabana Gazebos
40 Sun-loungers
40 Deckchairs
20 Windbreaks
40 Beach Umbrella
Storage:
To maintain the look of the beach, and being mindful of keeping the beaches tidy, all equipment will be kept offsite and will be delivered to the concession areas each morning.
Operating Hours:
The concessions will operate 6/7 days per week, weather depending, and ready to trade by 9am and through the entire day.
Pricing:
Cabana daily hire will range from £15 - £20 but this will subject to market forces. Traditional beach equipment will be competitively priced in line with those operating in other locations around the Island.
Consultation Responses
In response to the application the Constable of St Peter had no real reservations other than the proposed operator is made aware of the volleyball and hobie cats located to the west of the Gunsite.
The Constable of St Brelade did not have any concerns other than the beach equipment was not to be transported from site to site via the beach.
The Constable of St Lawrence had no concerns once additional information was supplied from the proposed operator.
Recommendation
At present no other operator offers a beach equipment hire service along this part of the bay. The inclusion of the cabanas will be different and suggests an upmarket feel to the offering. The operator, who is locally born although has spent time in Australia, has assured me that his intention is to offer a quality service to locals and visitors which would be similar to the concessions he has encountered in other locations including Australia. He also intends to work closely with the refreshment outlets located around his preferred concessionary areas and corporate organisations for adhoc cabana hire for beach events.
Following approval from the Constables may I recommend that Jersey Premier Beach Hire be given the opportunity to commence this operation subject to it being on a trial basis to be reviewed at the end of September 2015. The trail will also be subject to any complaints the parishes or department may receive.
Hospitality & Leisure Manager
7th July 2014