De Gruchy defends £6m renovation

De Gruchy has been trading in King Street since 1825

Owners of a Jersey's biggest department store have defended renovation work.

De Gruchy's owner, Merchant Retail, is spending £6m on renovating and modernising the store.

Critics have said the refurbishment, which is expected to last another two years, looks cheap.

But Phillip Newton, chief executive of the Merchant Retail Group, said the renovation work was essential to attract more shoppers to the King Street store.

Mr Newton said: "The store hasn't had any money spent on it for 25 years.

"When the store was opened it was the cutting edge of retail and we have to provide a store that is appropriate for the 21st century and not for the 19th or 20th century."

The grand staircase has been taken apart brick by brick for putting back in another part of the shop.

De Gruchy & Co was founded in 1810 by Abraham and Marie de Gruchy and has been trading in King Street since 1825.