St Helier needs a Primark, says town manager
Saturday 29th November 2008, 9:58AM GMT.
ST Helier could benefit from a budget clothes retailer such as Primark, according to the new man in charge of the town centre.
Richard MacKenzie, who was appointed as town centre manager earlier this month, said retail studies had shown that low-cost retailers such as Primark were what people wanted.
He said that St Helier needed to be able to offer all sorts of shops to customers and that he wanted to promote Inter-Island shopping as the centre was the finest in the Channel Islands.
‘If we compare Jersey with the UK, the only thing it does not have is probably the budget chain like Primark clothing,’ he said. ‘That does not mean it has to be to the detriment of all retailers. People will go to the UK for certain shops and we don’t want that, we want them to be spending their money and generating interest over here.’
• Mr MacKenzie is the subject of the Saturday Interview in today’s Jersey Eveing Post
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“if we compare Jersey to the UK” – isn’t that exactly the problem, you can buy anything sold in Jersey at “anytown”
UK usually cheaper!!! Thanx to the States there is no reason to shop in Jersey anymore!
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YES,YES & YES!!!!!!!!
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I would love to see a Primark over here in Jersey. When we are away in Nottingham visiting family we always go to their branch and it is fantastic! I got 3 full big bags of clothes for my son and daughter for £60!
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About time that somebody had the common sense to realise that Jersey needs a store like Primark on the high street. Every time I’ve been to the UK the respective stores are always full. The stock that is sold is good for everyday use and lasts.
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Great idea, I’d be happy with that!
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will it be as cheap as it is in the uk or jersey prices ?
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YES!!!!
it could go where woolies will soon be vacating and then hire all the woolies staff
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also matalan brilliant shop huge range of good quality clothes and furnishing items at great prices i always buy goods there when in uk
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My sister is always on about wanting a Primark or a New Look and I know she’s not alone. How about a Gap while we’re at it?
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Jersey definitely needs a Primark and a H & M would be also great.
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Fantastic, common sense at last. I travel to the UK (Southampton) a lot as my son goes to hospital there and Primark is always the first place we go too. With 3 boys their clothes are cheap and good quality, but come on lets face it do you really think Jersey will let them in, the other shops would not like the competition!!!! as usual?
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Personally I am not a Primark shopper although there is one in the nearest town to where I live.However I notice that it is always busy and I see people staggering under the weight of Primark bags whenever I’m in town so it is certainly very popular.Friends of mine always stock up on clothes for their children when they come over and they are thrilled at the amount of stuff they can get for their money-and let’s face it for childrens clothes that will be outgrown within months why spend a fortune?There will be people in Jersey who think it’s a bit “lower class” but then they aren’t the ones who have to struggle to make ends meet or live on an average budget.Hope you get Primark soon!
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Great, what a change for someone to come up with an idea that will benefit all. The more up market shops will not lose out as there are still plenty of people able to afford them but it will be of great value for families with children and those on a lower wage scale.Possible solution for staff who may be made redundant from Woolworths as well.
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How about this for a crazy idea…anybody remember Horseplay and the luggage shop next to it? Behind that and with access through the back is a mulistory carpark.
The one thing about any chain outlet is that they are always on the lookout for new markets. What would be wrong with our Economic Development department and the Chamber of Commerce putting together a feasability study for a number of sites and presenting a clear financially and commercially viable case for these stores moving over? Is this part of what they do or exist for, or not?
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What about getting 3 or 4 containers of merchandise from Primark and bring it over to Jersey. Then, set up the rotunda at Fort Regent as a makeshift shop. At the end of the exercise, look at the percentage of items left over and if its more than 80% (or perhaps more?) sold…then we have a very case for bringing such a store over. Any of our budding entrepenuers want to take a risk on funding that venture?
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You would be better off with a Matalan store and H&M – the only thing worth buying in Primark is cheap underwear for your holidays at a cost you can leave behind! Primark has spoilt the look of the town centres over the years in the UK and it has even opened up in the MetroCentre cloning everywhere else. I walk past every store and head for the better clothing stores. If you open a Primark over there what was a select independent stores shopping centre will become another high street. Why should anyone want to spend a fortune to holiday in Jersey only to walk through the shopping centre and think they are back at home!!
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bring it all on, but remember the english channel is gold plated.
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Sad to say, but I believe there is a prime retail outlet about be vacated in Halkett Place.
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Provided the prices aren’t increased, this would be nice…
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Its indeed a great idea!!! We were thinking to visit UK mainland to shop from primark as a main objective. price difference of primark and king street stores can be same as our airfares!! It would be exciting to see any of Primark or Matalan stores here.
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YES YES YES lets get GAP store
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yes please, pretty please… I try and get to the uk at least twice a year to Nottingham. Fantastic primark there. If and thats a big if, you can get a cheap flight its well worth the effort.
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Great idea BUT.
I think what’s needed more is a cut-price supermarket. The price of food here on the Island is just getting rediculous !
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Yvonne- Asda might fit the bill as they have a brilliant home and clothing range as well as being a food supermarket.
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If we’re going to get a Primark, I feel that we need a choice, with other cheaper shops aswell – such as New Look, H&M, Peacocks…. Everyone will be wearing the same Primark clothes otherwise. It’s the whole thrill of going to England – buying cheap clothes that people over here don’t already have. On the plus side, it would be great for kids clothes – and hopefully cause other clothes shops to rethink their prices. I’m sure we’d attract people from the other channel islands as well which would be nice…
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We’d have one up on Guernsey
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Has anyone seen the new community website set up for the Channel Islands? There is a group on there called Primark and another one set up to save Woolies in Jersey.
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Yes – Primark, H&M, Peacocks and even a Lidl or Aldi if possible. A good point was made that the Woolies staff could be employed if Jersey allowed one of the above to trade.
Now an even wackier suggestion- how about Sunday trading! shock horror! This would encourage the public to shop ( ideal for those who work during mon to Fri) and thus hopefully stimulate the economy as not only would they be buying in the shops but also popping in for coffees, quick meals etc. Also if the regular staff dont wish to work on Sunday – xtra staff could be used eg school kids or mums who want to earn a bit of cash?
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I think we should get a Primark. I go to Southampton each year and stock up on clothes for the winter for my son. It costs a fraction of the price we pay over here!! And to Tremic who wrote that Jersey would no longer have an independent stores shopping centre but will become another high street – so what. It is about time people think of what would benefit the people living in Jersey rather than the holiday maker who spends two weeks of the year here!!!
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Bring it on, we need a primark iver been saying it for years,!! And Trixy no dis respect to you but every time you go out in jersey everyone has the same clothes on anyway so i dont think it will make that much diffrece i was out last week and 3 people had the same dress on as me1!
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fab idea!! yes please!! but the other shops will kick up such a fuss i bet it doesn’t happen!!
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Fair point Vikki.
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Primark…! that’s just the start…thank God for on line shopping!!!
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We do also need a third supermarket operator. Its been years since we lost the true Safeway and Morrisons.
We have had survey after survey, the the Chamber of Commerce saying we do not need one, but there again they would say that to protect their members interest.
Why though, after years, it seems there has been no real action in getting another UK/European supermarket, is there any timescale, can a date be set, if not, why not?
Primark also a good idea.
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I reckon it would be fantastic to have a Primark but as a few people have already said, I love the fun of going over and having a huge spree in there. And also again, everyone would wear the same thing. Like the last person said, primark should set up an online store and actually deliver to Jersey but i think the only reason they dont do that is cause they change their stock every week.
I am still yet to be convinced. However I definitely think we should have some sort of Ikea!
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Primark and Asda PLEASE !!!! Maybe then we can afford to have a life !! I wish I could afford to go to the mainland and visit these stores. I went over to Southampton earlier this year for a hospital appointment and took the time to visit Primark – I managed to kit out my daughters with almost entire wardrobes for £100. Get this sorted asap and save the islanders who struggle ! Sorry to say it, but the excuse of other retailers suffering if we bring in these stores is getting old – I cant afford to shop in any of them anyway so unless they drop their prices web shopping will put them out of business anyway – at least lets keep some money in the island with some good value stores!
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In Woolworth store: ground floor for CHEAP FOOD PLEASE!!! 1st floor for Primark – then we have a chance to survive recession. Words of wisdom Mr MacKenzie
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Yes – just what Jersey needs a store that makes money by selling clothes made by 8 year olds in third world countries.
THere are far too many clothes shops in Jersey currently, just been to town and there are huge discounts in nearly every store. I do not think there is room for more
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criss brilliant idea lidl or aldi are the best 2 i,ve been in bought back loads on non perishable food from aldi when i was in weymouth in september not only great value for money but a choice of different food from the same old we get here
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I live in the UK now and Primark is a must for all, same as Peacocks & H & M, Jersey would luv it..BUT I am afraid to say it..yep you guessed right someone will put an end to this before it even gets started. The trouble with Jersey is that they don’t want to explore, Jersey lives in a time warp..they will never change.
Come on Jersey go for it I say, and show people that you do listen sometimes…
I will watch this space..
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Here we go again…because that is all it will be just TALK…
Jersey needs a place like this and some more…
But I rest my case here we go again all Talk, and I feel sorry for the jersey folk who wants these types of shops in their town, but will NEVER be allowed.
Come to the UK and do your shoppin, it is great so much scope and variety..get yourselves a cheap flight..well if you can..
By the time Primark reaches the Island anyway if it was allowed the prices will be sky high anyway that’s the truth of the matter.
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Where are people getting their information from? Okay, you don’t have a Primark or H&M but the clothes shops you do have sell items cheaper here than in the UK. I couldn’t afford to buy Esprit or Benneton in the UK but have done here. Yes it’s due to VAT rather than the net price but these shops are still cheaper here than in the UK.
Personally, I’d say you’re missing a River Island… it caters for those people that are past primary school and so can’t shop in Top Shop anymore, but who aren’t quite old enough to give into Marks & Spencers or rich enough for Esprit and Benneton.
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YES, I agree … I go shopping to the UK annually to go to Primark. Bday / Xmas presents and all year through ‘must haves’ are bought from Primark. It would save the Jersey people from travelling to the UK to shop. Great idea, please do it soon!!!
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Primark clothes don’t last because the quality is shockingly bad – you actually spend more replacing the cheap items over and over than you do buying something good quality that will last you longer! Also there is a reason why it is so cheap….the pay and working conditions of those who make the clothes….Primark has a serious lack of social responsibility.
Now New Look on the other hand…bring it on!!
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Leah – Esprit don’t take off the VAT AND they’ve added GST. Anyway, lets see if any of the High streets shops we have such as Next reduce their prices now VAT is down to 15% or will they loose too much profit for their fat wallets….storing goods doesn’t cost that flamin much
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Nice idea, bet it wont happen,how would that help the rich get richer and the average person get poorer. I refuse to buy any clothes in jersey, I always go to primark and the other cheap shops in the UK.
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New Look now deliver to Jersey from their website !
Yet more of my money leaving the island because the shops here are too expensive.
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Come on get a grip and look at where shops like primark, H&M, TJ Max matalan are located – not in small towns which are much bigger than Jersey or have large numbers within a reasonable traveling distance. Its also why we dont have lots of other things like Weatherspoons, Budget airlines, budget hotels. We are only a very small town that tries (badly at times) to make out its a large town.
Get real. It aint never gonna work !
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Exeter has all of those shops keith. Its not much bigger (population wise) than Jersey.
Barnstaple, Taunton and Torquay also have primarks and each have much smaller populations than Jersey.
I’m sure there must be others.
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Disappointed in JSY,
Looked at “New Look” and while they have some good stuff and competitive prices, it’s mainly focused on girls, not boys. You may have 2 girls, but those of us with 2 boys could never dress them with stuff from there for fear of social services getting involved!
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Since it is food I buy every week and not clothes. I’m with Yvonne – message 23
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I wish people would get real. Jersey is equivalent to a small market town in England and you don’t get all these big name stores in small towns. People in the UK travel to them just as we do, alright our travel costs are more but we live in a very special place with so many positives, I am fed up of whinging people who want their cake and eat it and I don’t want to live in a UK clone town.
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Could this be the best ‘throw away comment of the year?’
Having Primark or similar would be a great idea and a lot would benefit from it. But I’m interested to know how a discount retailer is meant to survive paying the sky high commercial rental prices in St. Helier?? Look at the non discount retailers in town that have already had to close!
A Primark or similar is a great idea, having it in St. Helier I would say is financially impossible and probably why they aren’t here already.
The suggestion that we need an ASDA in Jersey is very true! But again, could ASDA maintain the prices for which it is known paying the local rental prices?
So surely the only fix for this is that the States of Jersey buy up some of the commercial space that is then leased out at a reasonable price so that companies like Primark and ASDA can move to Jersey?
But I guess that wouldn’t be in the financial interest of some of the States members would it?
Tell us how you’re going to make it possible for someone like Primark to come to Jersey, rather than offering up a comment like that with no promise…
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Forget asda – they wanted to come in 20 years ago and the states said no – the only sites big enough for them to want to come over are either the checkers or coop stores
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Tim
Nice idea, i wondor how much those container will be.. about £1000 each!!!!
Condor must be rubbing there hands with anticiapation
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Primark. Cheap and cheerful. It does what it says on the can. Cheap products. Cheap materials. Cheaply produced using cheap labour. Is that what Jersey really really wants?
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Strawbs: There is no VAT in Jersey. Jersey is Zero rated from a VAT point of view. A retail shop can charge whatever the market will pay for their goods. If a retail store displays a price that is the same in the UK and VAT is included in that price, in Jersey it is not VAT…. more like VAP (Value added profit).
You may find that ordering systems tagging of products etc will reflect the reduction in UK VAT, only because its an application of that reduction across their supply chain and Jersey is a very small part of it.
Also if you compare like for like. Lets say a product in a store in Portsmouth cost £50. That same product when in Jersey will be more. Why? Add the extra cost of storing product at harbour docks waiting for next boat, add sea frieght costs (loading and unloading ships), add Portsmouth Harbour dues on export of freight. Add Jersey Harbours import dues on frieght, add Transfering goods transported in large conatainers and lorries to those suitable for Jersey Roads. Get those smaller lorries etc to the storage depots (or the harbour depots)around Jersey ready to be unpacked and then delieverd to the actual shop. Add the higher cost of renting property, maintaining it and generally operating from it in Jersey. Add the additional cost we have to pay for staff because we have a limited number of people to source from, who live in much more expensive houses/flats and bedsits than their UK collegues.
The cost of goods in Jersey or any other island community will have embedded costs that will be difficult to remove or reduce because of the isolation of its infrastructure relative to an off island supply chain.
If you don’t like it…. there is a boat out in the morning ;o)
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I have an idea, we could start our own cheap clothes store.
All we need to do is provide a couple of dillapidated flats, ship over loads of child labour (as i doubt our children wold work for less han minimum wage), put them in these flats, say 10 to room maybe more if it helps the profit margin. Then make them work work work to earn a daily crust of some rice and pulses.
All the off cuts and waste products can be just thrown out onto the streets where we have accomodated them. Eventually this will clog up the sewerage systems which will have the affect of making them feel at home in the cties/villages that have already been left to rot at the expense of using their cheap labour.
We then ship the clothes off to the other islands to make a vast profit and sip champagne to dull any moral conscience that might or might not creep in to our thoughts.
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Well I looked at prices in Jersey for items I wanted and then the same items in London (just last weekend) they were cheaper here. Can’t help the facts.
As for what shops Jersey needs, Primark again tends to cater more for the kids (throwaway clothes that last just as long as a fast-growing child needs), not quality clothes for more than a few months of wear.
The only shops you have here for the young 30-somethings are what I would call ‘designer’ shops and mostly out of my price range. Okay there’s Next but it’s not exactly hot fashion! Jersey needs a shop for my age group… although I think I’ll just head home a couple of times a year and shop there.
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Squirrel – you forgot to add on GST – on top of the cost of the goods and on top of the freight charge and on top of the utilities to run the shop ……and on top of the cost of the boat in the morning!!
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Everything is relative. Wages are 20-25% higher in Jersey and then you pay tax of only 20% in the pound if you are lucky to earn that much – if not you pay even less tax. Also employee NI contributions are lower. And you really think that the likes of Primark will keep their prices at UK rates ? – Woolworths was (and still is for teh next few days/weeks at least) a discount retailer selling “cheap” childrens clothes and did it keep its prices at UK rates – no for the very reasons of high rents, freight, staff costs etc.
The big multiples in the UK have (together with the people of the UK who supported their new “out of town” shops) wrecked every decent High Street in the UK – bar the main centres of London, Birmingham and a couple of handfuls more.
I ask the people of Jersey – do you really want that to happen to your island ? They will decimate it forever – once they get a foot-hold they are ruthless – trust me the grass is not greener – think about how well off you are compared to the rest of the world.
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OMG – if you put primark where Woolies is/was – me and my friends wouldnt have to do several shopping trips ot Southampton or London each year !!
We also I feel need an injection of other outlets, GAP, River Island, H&M etc
Many people come here to shop so lets give them what they want !!
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Super idea save on air flight on going to shopping trips to southampton bring it in.
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