Funfair extended stay was 'worth it'

A funfair extending its stay in Guernsey was "worth it" despite poor weather, parking concerns and some people not knowing it was there, its owner has said.

The Funtazia Travelling Theme Park visited the island for summer shows, but opened separately at North Beach in St Peter Port from 2 to 6 September.

Owner James Cole said the additional stop was "definitely worth it" and gave people another opportunity outside the North and West shows.

While some fair traders welcomed the chance to stay longer, some added they had seen lower overall profits as a results of the extended stay, but they enjoyed the island.

Cole said: "We just thought a lot of people would go to the North Show, a lot go to the West, and some might just want to come to a funfair without going to the shows."

He said the fair's first day at North Beach was affected by wet weather, but people still turned out.

He added that it being positioned on the seafront "advertises itself", although some traders said public awareness of the extended stay was limited.

Crepes stall owner Lisa Phillips said higher operating costs and a lack of awareness had reduced her profits.

She said: "A lot of people didn't know we were coming to this particular spot.

"They thought we were going home after the North Show, so we were just crossing our fingers really."

She said operating in Guernsey also brought additional costs, including travel, rent and supplies.

"It is worth coming over here, it's good money. But obviously we've got to pay for the boat, we've got to do the rent.

"We do love it here. We've got to see quite a bit more this year of Guernsey and the kids have loved it."

Bradley Rawlings, who runs the Tin Can Alley and darts stalls, said the fair had received "nice support" from people.

He said: "There were quite a few posters out around the town. Maybe it was a bit of a surprise to people.

"You have your good and bad days and everything, but it's been quite good, so we're quite pleased."

Beverly Elliott, from Darcy's Churros, said turnout could be difficult to predict.

"It's always worth it because it's such a lovely place," she said.

"You never know how many people are going to turn up. No-one ever does."

However, she added that those who did visit kept "coming back for more".

The organisers paid a fee to use North Beach car park, with Guernsey Ports saying fees for using its estate were published online.

No formal consultation was carried out directly with individual shops or businesses over the loss of parking spaces.

Guernsey Ports said a multi-agency stakeholder meeting was held during the application and planning process.

It said the "potential impacts of the proposals, including the effect on parking availability and town-centre retailers and businesses, were considered".

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