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A STATES Member who owns shares in the business set to take over the running of the Lido at Havre des Pas in 2026 has underlined his company’s commitment to the future of the site and said previous bookings would be honoured. St Clement Constable Marcus Troy, who holds a 33% stake in newly-formed company First Point Lido and has included the directorship among his declaration of interests, was responding to concerns expressed online by those with bookings for future events at the Lido. In a decision published on Monday, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan signalled the government’s intention to award a nine-year lease to First Point Lido. The transaction is set to be completed at the conclusion of a 15-day notice period later this month, by which time the States Assembly will have debated a proposition calling for the new lease to be scrapped. Islander Peter Le Boutillier said he was due to celebrate his 70th birthday at the Lido in May, and was about to send out invitations to guests – including some who would have to fly to Jersey. The change in management had been flagged by existing tenant BeServed Group, Mr Boutillier said, with his deposit refunded. This left him anxious, he added, about what the new management would be offering at the site. However Mr Troy moved to reassure Mr Boutillier and others in the same position that First Point would be looking to honour bookings for events scheduled after 1 January, the date on which the new contract is due to start. “Assuming things go to plan and the contract is confirmed, we will honour all bookings that have been taken by the previous tenant and are passed on to us – one such booking has already been flagged,” he said. “I’ve been in the hospitality business for 50 years and have been involved in quite a lot of changes of ownerships for hotels – it is normal for a booking to be honoured in this situation and we will certainly do that.” Mr Troy confirmed that he and fellow directors Jason and Deborah Maindonald each hold 33% stakes in First Point Lido, which was registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission earlier this week. The Constable, first elected to represent St Clement in a by-election in July 2021, said he had flagged the issue with senior parish officials. “There’s no conflict,” he said. “I might end up helping out at weekend events, but my full-time role is with St Clement – I give more than my fair share of time to the parish and to the States Assembly.” News that First Point was to be awarded the new contract ahead of the existing tenant has sparked concern among current users, with the Lido Steering Group due to hold a public meeting this evening and planning to protest in the Royal Square on Tuesday. Next week’s demonstration will coincide with the Assembly sitting at which Members will debate the proposition by Deputy David Warr to tear up the proposed new contract and transfer management of the site to the proposed charity Love Our Lido. Mr Troy said he was aware of concerns from swimmers who use the bathing pool regularly and described rumours that his company proposed charging people to swim at the site as “poppycock”. “The swimmers have nothing to worry about – we will speak to them in due course and look after them going forward,” he said. “People can look forward to a Lido that is more community-focused and vibrant than ever before.” Other business interests in St Helier declared by Mr Troy include the Runnymede Hotel close to the Lido, La Fregate Café and Shuga coffee shop. Mr Troy said he would not be attending today’s public meeting due to the potential for “mud-slinging”, and that he would not take part in the States debate or vote next week. Why has the new tender been controversial? The decision to pass the running of the Lido to the First Point Lido has sparked fierce debate. In July, the Love our Lido – a community group formed with the goal of gaining charitable status and taking over management of the bathing pool – was selected as the ‘preferred bidders’ for the contract. However, negotiations between the group and the government broke down over questions regarding funding, maintenance costs and utility bills and the Love our Lido team had their status as ‘preferred’ withdrawn. Last week, it was confirmed that First Point Property Services – which specialises in events and property management, and is currently involved in the running of La Frégate – will take over the Havre Des Pas café, pool, showers and toilets rent-free, and with £66,000 from government every year to maintain the historic swimming facility. St Helier South Deputy David Warr is set to ask States Members to overturn the decision next week. His proposition would, if approved, force government to withdraw from current negotiations and instead sign an agreement with Love Our Lido, while pledging £170,000 annual funding towards maintenance of the pool.
