You decide: what would be folly at La Folie?

Friday 14 October 2016

Ports of Jersey is seeking opinions from Islanders over the future of St Helier’s historic dock area around La Folie Quay.

The waterfront quay, located between the old English and French Harbours on the south east coast of St Helier, has fallen into disrepair in recent years.

La Folie Inn, which closed in 2004 due to a fall in business, remains derelict, while some of the adjacent buildings and sheds are currently being used for a variety of trades. Many of these are in need of maintenance and are no longer considered commercially sustainable.

Ports of Jersey Chief Executive Doug Bannister said: “La Folie is a site which has lied dormant for far too long. We know the development of this site is going to be very emotive. Everyone in the Island will have an idea of what should be done, so we are going to ask everyone in the Island for those ideas. 

“We would like to see the pub preserved because we feel it has a great deal of heritage value, but we hope to get buckets of really good workable ideas and buckets which may not be so workable. We want to hear them all and we are not going to go ahead with any development until we have received all this feedback.”     

In 2014, when the ‘Case for Incorporation’ of Ports of Jersey was put forward for public consultation and subsequent States assembly approval, an outline concept for possible future uses of La Folie was commissioned, which included the suggestion of developing retail units, heritage holiday lets and a bar/restaurant. 

While some suggestions as to future development proposals have already been disregarded, including a proposition to develop the site into residential housing and flats which was rejected in 2011, no clear future plans have been identified. 

Any members of the public who wish to submit a written comment can do so by emailing here