'Tourism decline' closes down bar

The owner of a Guernsey bar says a decline in tourism was a major factor in causing it to shut.

Isabel's Bar And Brasserie in the Pollet shut its doors on Friday. Owner Glen Pontin said that it was an "upsetting" decision.

The president of the Guernsey Licensed Victuallers Association said he was shocked the bar had closed and that it was a sad state of affairs.

But he added that other licensees were experiencing problems.

Alcohol strategy

Glen Pontin said of the close: "It's very upsetting and saddens me that it's gone this way."

He added that he was unsure if he would be able to reopen the business.

Victuallers Association President Peter Leigh said: "It's a sad state of affairs. The brasserie has only been open for about nine months.

"But I wonder whether things the States are doing have been any help. We've got the smoking ban, we've got the costs of the licences that have just gone through; things like that just don't help the licensed trade."

Guernsey's new liquor licensing laws came into effect in June.

Money raised by the increase in licences will be used to pay for an alcohol strategy for the Bailiwick and curb binge drinking.

Smoking in enclosed public places was banned from the beginning of July.

The States said the law was introduced safeguard people's health.

A study of visitors to Guernsey published in April said the number of tourists to the island had dropped by 15% in the last six years.