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A clause in a planning document is the "main stumbling block" preventing a "very interested" French supermarket group from opening in Jersey, according to the Economic Development Minister.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said that the chain was “very interested” in coming to Jersey – but that their preferred site was earmarked for agricultural use in the Bridging Island Plan, which is in place until the end of 2025.
The prospect of a European chain setting up in Jersey has long been mooted, but has never come to fruition.
Talk about progress on the negotiations have often reignited when adverse weather causes supply problems and empty shelves, with islanders hoping that French suppliers could boost resilience and lower prices.
Pictured: Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel confirmed that "there is a supermarket group which is very interested in coming to Jersey".
Giving an update on progress, Deputy Morel said ongoing talks were part of work to “attract investment to Jersey” and provide a “greater range of choice in price”.
He said: “There is a supermarket group which is very interested in coming to Jersey, but the main stumbling block at the moment is the choice of site and the availability of that site.
“Their preferred site is one that would be difficult to develop under the current Bridging Island Plan. It is currently re-zoned for agricultural use.
“There are other sites that may be available for them, but if not, it might be a case of waiting for the Island Plan review. They may choose to wait for the site.”
With the current document which defines planning policy for the island set to expire at the end of 2025, the field could not become available until early 2026.
He added that the field was not in St Helier, but near an “urban area outside of town”.
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