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Tim Revill is a serial entrepreneur with a background as a chartered accountant. Since moving to Guernsey from Gibraltar three and a half years ago, he has invested in a number of companies, one of which is Plug-N-Go, which installs and operates electric vehicle charge points in Guernsey and the UK.
The company now employs seven people in Guernsey, and Tim has adopted the island wholeheartedly as his home. As someone with a keen interest in electric vehicles and renewables, they took front stage in the five changes he would make.
1. The States must promote a renewable energy policy.
Guernsey could be a European leader in renewable energy, but it needs a co-ordinated island-wide policy. I was very heartened when Guernsey Electricity installed solar panels on the roof of the generating station, but this is just the start. Guernsey promoted itself as the “Sunshine Island” in the 1930s and, at an average of just under 2,000 hours (of sun) per annum, the Channel Islands have the most hours of sunshine in the British Isles. Solar panels make no noise, they don’t pollute and, unlike hydrocarbons, the “fuel” cost is zero. This is free energy, let’s capture it and wean ourselves off filthy diesel. Where do we put these solar panels? Well, there are many ruined vineries, which disfigure the countryside, crying out for alternative use.
2. Let's use our biggest resource, the sea.
Several residents of Guernsey have told me that they begrudgingly accept the dominance of the finance sector because Guernsey has few natural resources to exploit. And yet, we are surrounded by a huge natural resource – the sea. I have researched and visited processors elsewhere, producing all sorts of bi-products from the sea – sea salt, which chefs greatly favour over mineral salt (not a new idea in Guernsey – production historically at Saltpans and the salting of fish at La Salerie). Jersey is way ahead of us! And another marine product with huge potential is (certain types) of seaweed. These can be grown on rafts and used for cosmetics, sweets (jellies) and foodstuffs, a vegan method of flocculating (clarifying) beer and be eaten as a delicious and very healthy crispy vegetable.
3. Parking on the Albert and Victoria Piers is a waste of a very valuable asset.
The Albert and Victoria piers are pieces of retail real estate, which most towns, retailers and restaurants would give their eyeteeth for. They are a priceless asset. What do we use them for? Parking! A tour around the older ports and naval bases in the UK, and further afield in Gibraltar and Cape Town (where the converted docks are coincidentally called the V&A Waterfront) acts as an inspiration. But, you will ask, what do we do with the parked cars?
I haven’t done the maths, but I suggest an underground carpark under the field at the top of Le Val des Terres, with shuttle (i.e. every 10 minutes) buses, stopping along the seafront might be the answer. ‘Park and Ride’. Once the carpark has been excavated, the grass could be restored and the facility would be virtually invisible. The fitter amongst us (not me) can choose to walk or cycle back from Town to the carpark.
4. Guernsey University: a great idea
I know that the idea of founding a university in Guernsey is an old and hot chestnut, but what a great idea, which appears to have stalled. I believe that the positive aspects have been undersold. Gibraltar, with a population of half Guernsey’s (36,000) opened its university in 2015 and it’s racing ahead! I envisage that the university would have a restricted number of specialist faculties, so would probably not appeal to Guernsey students, who should, in any case get life experience off the island.
It would also offer post-graduate and doctoral qualifications. It would attract foreign students, wanting to study in English and to learn about the topics we excel in e.g. financial services. We need to allocate a campus … how about the old Castel Hospital? Student digs would replace the lower end tourist accommodation, for which demand has fallen. With students, visiting lecturers and parents travelling to and from the island, it would mean more bums on seats for Aurigny.
5. Those skimmed milk cartons..!
Guernsey milk and butter is delicious. However, sometimes getting into the green and white skimmed milk cartons is the nearest I’ve come to brain surgery. Making the early morning tea is a most hazardous process, requiring a very sharp knife and the skills normally required of a carpaccio slicer. I can only assume that the dairy uses super-glue?
Pictured top: Tim Revill.
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