'Uncertain' future for inter-island freight firm

A shipping company that runs a daily inter-island freight service said it is disappointed Guernsey's government refused a bid for funding to support its services.

Iris Freight, which among its freight carries national newspapers printed in Jersey to Guernsey, previously said increasing costs and a decreasing demand for newspapers could put the service at risk.

Guernsey's government refused funding to support the newspaper element of the service and a decision from politicians in Jersey is still to be made.

David Nuth, managing director and co-owner of Iris Freight, said "efforts to encourage cross-island collaboration have failed" and the firm's future remained "very uncertain".

He said: "The company's future is very uncertain without the newspaper contract. That contract is still in place and we will continue to operate until such time as it is terminated."

Nuth said it would be the "end of an era for Iris Freight and the vital daily service between the islands" should the newspaper contract, which is is due for review by 1 June not be renewed by KPS, which prints the UK national newspapers in Jersey.

He said: "This would also have a significant impact on the 40 or so Guernsey-based newsagents servicing newspaper rounds.

"Inevitably, there would also be job implications both for Iris Freight and others in the commercial sector served by the company."

The firm carries about 25,000 newspapers to Guernsey each week - half the amount it carried when it started a decade ago - along with other freight, such as medical items between the two islands' hospitals, food and spare parts for cars.

Nuth said Iris Freight remained a profitable company and in 10 years of operating, had not received financial support from either government.

He previously said he believed physical newspapers were "going to fade out eventually" and, without help, the company had three to five years left.

"There is a real need for the islands to work together on this, but it just doesn't seem to happen," Nuth added.

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