Nightlife industry seeing 'tsunami of change'

Musicians and partygoers in Guernsey have been left with a handful of nightlife venues after three closures in the past two months.

One nightclub owner said his business was a "shadow" of what it once was, blaming a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and a change of culture since Covid for fewer people going out.

Despite the string of closures, there's still appetite for a good night out and the owners of newly-opened The Cygnet in St Peter Port said it had been "really busy".

The States of Guernsey said a vibrant evening and nightlife offer was "essential" to the island's cultural life.

In November St Peter Port live music bar The Vault announced its closure, closely followed by news from the owners of Canvas nightclub confirming its closure with a new operator being sought to take over.

The Doghouse then announced it will close its doors for the final time on New Year's Day.

Jon Bisson, director of St James cultural centre - which hosts events including concerts, said "the market has shrunk by about 30%".

He said: "Since the pandemic, small venues have been fighting to exist. We've reduced the frequency of events to try and accommodate that and concentrated on the bigger shows.

"We need to keep those new bands coming through."

He said there are now only four to five live music venues remaining in Guernsey.

Nightclub owners have felt the effects too.

General manager of Les Folies d'Amour Tony Le Marchant said 20 years ago the club would get 3,500 people through the doors each week - now it was about one third of that.

The club opened in 1992 and is one of the few remaining in the island.

"There's been a tsunami of change," he said.

"The people have changed, there's a big gym culture now and housing here is so expensive, people can't afford it and are choosing to drink more at home.

"Drink prices are astronomical. I'd like to make them cheaper, but we're a business."

Such concerns have been echoed by locals. One resident, who said he had a mortgage and children, said: "I don't go out any more, it's too expensive."

On a busy night in Les Folies d'Amour nightclub it is clear there remains an appetite for going out among some people.

One person told us the club was "absolutely brilliant" and they go out "every weekend, as much as we can".

Another person said: "It is quite expensive, but you can still have a good time. It's what you make of it."

Bulgarian partnership Ina Vladimirova and Yvonne Dimova opened Guernsey's newest nightspot The Cygnet at the end of November.

They were positive about St Peter Port's bar scene, and said even those people who were more health-conscious could still have a good night out.

"We now have more low-alcohol, low-sugar options. We never had this five years ago," they said.

Mr Le Marchant said his main message was to "use it, or lose it".

"As we're really only the last proper nightclub in Guernsey, look after it. When it's gone, it's gone."

Deputy Paul Montague, President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said: "Through venues such as Beau Sejour Theatre, the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts, Guernsey Museums' sites, and our grant-aided support for St James, we are ensuring islanders can enjoy a diverse range of cultural experiences."

He said the committee was currently "developing a cultural strategy to act as a roadmap for culture on the island, in which the role of entertainment and entertainment venues will be a key consideration".

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].