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News that the company behind the island's TGI Fridays branch had gone into administration may have reignited fears of a Waterfront 'ghost town' – but other units will soon be brought back to life, it has emerged.
The Waterfront units that were once home to Arcadia and WYSIWYG are being refitted with a "new use" to be announced shortly, the Jersey Development Company told Express.
The Waterfront's future has been somewhat unclear since major redevelopment plans that would have included around 1,000 homes and a variety of public realm improvements were thrown out by a panel of politicians.
In October 2022, a former General Manager at the Pizza Hut which closed on the back of the pandemic warned that the area had "turned into a ghost town".
His comments became all the more relevant just months later when Arcadia, WYSIWYG Bar and Terrace and the Quest escape room all ceased trading.
The Bar also remains closed at the time of writing, while it recently emerged that the company which owns 87 TGI Fridays branches across the British Isles, including the business trading at the Waterfront, had gone into administration.
Pictured: The TGI Fridays at the Waterfront is still operating but the company that owns it is looking to sell the branch.
A JDC spokesperson described the news as "unfortunate" but noted that the local branch of the restaurant is still operating.
However, they said that the "main activities on the Waterfront" remain Cineworld, Aquasplash and Fitness First.
"Collectively these operations attract more than half-a-million visits per annum."
Pictured: WYSIWYG was among the Waterfront businesses that ceased trading in recent years.
"There are three vacant units on the Waterfront. The Bar and Pizza Hut remain let to tenants who are choosing not to re-open," the spokesperson said.
"The former Arcadia/WYSIWYG units are currently being re-fitted and JDC will be making an announcement shortly on the new use for those units."
They also noted that, of the 12 ground floor commercial units within the recent Horizon development, four had been sold with three under offer and discussions ongoing for a further three.
Pictured: Multiple commercial spaces within the JDC's Horizon development have been sold.
"Only two units presently do not have any interest attached and Jersey Development Company and Groupe Legendre have agreed for these two units to be used for meanwhile/community uses," the spokesperson explained.
"JDC has been working with the art community to coordinate a series of art events in these units."
The company behind the island's only cinema complex has long been battling financial difficulties, but in 2023 JDC reached an agreement to help retain Cineworld at the Waterfront.
Pictured: JDC last year announced an agreement to help retain Cineworld at the Waterfront.
"However as stated at the time, it is very much a case of use it or lose it," the JDC spokesperson said.
"If usage of the cinema drops below 180,000 visits per year then Cineworld have the ability to exit without penalty."
They added: "It was very unfortunate news this week regarding TGI Friday however, the local business is still operating and as with the cinema, it is a case of use it or lose it as, in all likelihood, those operations that are busy and profitable will find a buyer and remain trading."
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