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Eunice Pallot, Té Amor: Five things I would change about Jersey

Eunice Pallot, Té Amor: Five things I would change about Jersey

Friday 07 July 2017

Eunice Pallot, Té Amor: Five things I would change about Jersey

Friday 07 July 2017


After a career mostly in the wine trade, Eunice recently jumped ship and launched Té Amor – a company committed to introducing islanders to great whole-leaf teas.

Before brewing up her five things, Eunice wanted to make clear how much she loves the island, saying: "What I really want to say, above all else, is that Jersey rocks, and right now it’s the only place I want to be." So, pop the kettle on...

1. What, traffic jams in paradise? Bring on the Boris bikes!  

This is an old gripe that’s remonstrated on often, but getting from St Aubin into town is bit of a drama, with Beaumont causing most of the strife. Unfettered by financials or reality, I’d plump for a glorious suspension bridge spanning the bay, à la The Golden Gate.

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Pictured: Eunice at a conference pan-firing tea

But, back in the real world, a combination of park and ride (which would clearly necessitate better parking in key locations), with a tram along the waterfront and, most promising, Boris-style bikes. Administered by the States and sponsored by a local company, I imagine an extended cycling network would be great for tourism, our general health and reducing traffic. Win-win, yeah?

2. Park, panic, rush to the grocer to buy paycards, return to collect fine

Paycards – for me they are an ordeal. I don’t recall a heads-up at car rentals when I came as a tourist, and even now I still get caught in a quandary with no cards when parking.

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Pictured: Té Amor's stand at last year's Arctic Village, where the business was launched

As well as reducing the need for traffic wardens, paying on departure just makes sense, but if that’s not possible, what’s wrong with a machine in situ where you can pay for your ticket up front?

3. Dig deeper

And while I’m on the parking situation, why don’t we have underground carparks hiding ugly yet essential infrastructure on our small island? I realise our proximity to the sea, as well as other factors, present engineering dilemmas, but there are precedents all across Europe – just take a drive down the coast of France.

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Pictured: Tasters of Té Amor's Oriental Beauty and Pouchong teas

I fear many timely opportunities to implement this have already passed but, off the top of my head, what about People’s Park? It could be re-landscaped afterwards to protect its status as a park for the people, and enhanced parking might just mean it’s better used?

4. I dream of classy picture houses

That sounds a bit odd, but before moving to Jersey I had the choice of two independent cinemas. They had a great vibe, showed a good selection of films (blockbusters and otherwise) and cosy café bars served decent snacks and beverages. 

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In short, they were places I wanted to hang-out, and I just don’t get that feel-good factor in a multiplex.

5. Social media spite

Why are people so damned mean on social media? It’s not just a Jersey thing of course, but wouldn’t it be great to rise above it?

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Posing questions and debating should be constructive, but what’s with the nastiness; why bother? #exasperation

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.

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