Select a region
The site of one of Guernsey's former tourist attractions remains as it was when it shut down more than 20 years ago, now weathered and overgrown by the passing of time.
The Guernsey Tomato Centre was once a thriving hot spot for tourist and locals with a shop, restaurant and attractions all celebrating the 'Guernsey Tom'.
However, while sites like the former Strawberry Farm are prime sites for development, literally nothing has happened with the Tomato Centre since it changed hands in 1997.
Pictured: The seating area at The Tomato Centre.
The Guernsey Tomato Centre was opened in April 1977 on an old vinery site that had been preserved. It was the brain child of Ken Rowe, who was joined by his cousin, John Rowe who managed the project, and Ron Machon who joined the pair to progress building work.
In those days the project was assisted by many organisations all wanting to promote the humble tomato such as The Guernsey Tomato Marketing Board, The Guernsey Growers Association and the Guernsey Tourist Committee. They were also supported by many friends and Guernsey growers who were keen to see such an attraction launch.
The States were particularly encouraging as tomatoes were still a big brand for Guernsey in the late 70s and the Centre used 'Guernsey Tom' in its signs, a logo and character that had been created in the 1960's to advertise Guernsey tomatoes all over the UK. The brand bore the image of 'Guernsey Tom' with the slogan: "From Britain's Sunny Island.'
Fast forward nearly 30 years and the tomato plants continue to grow in the buildings and grounds of the former Tomato Centre, due to the favourable growing conditions that abound. In the derelict glasshouses you can see tomato plants fully laden with fruit growing almost like weeds now.
In its heyday, the entrance to The Centre had a gift shop on one side and a self service tea bar on the other and customers ate in an indoor tea-garden with exotic plants and flowers which thrived in the greenhouse environment.
The Centre, which was in the Kings Mills, had plenty of parking, and in addition you would also often see coaches parked at the site bringing tourists to the venue, long before Cruise ships were regular visitors to the island.
Pictured: The tomato steam boiler at The Tomato Centre in the 1980's.
In front of the building a traditional tomato steam boiler was a familiar sight, showing off the industrial heritage that accompanied the tomato industry. Sadly this too now lies dormant and can be seen rotting away within the undergrowth and brambles.
Pictured: The tomato steam boiler can still be seen today.
The Tomato Centre closed down in the 1990's with the registered company, (The Guernsey Tomato Centre (1986) Ltd.) winding up operations in July 1992, before the land was sold in May 1997 to a private investor listed as Kingscourt Limited which still owns it today.
Express sourced the owners of the land and whilst the director of the company was off island and unable to comment a spokesperson confirmed that the land had been untouched since its purchase and agreed it had been left to wrack and ruin, but unless there was a change of zone there was little that could be done.
Pictured: The site at La Rue du Douit.
The site in La Rue du Douit, Kings Mills, is listed on the Island Development Plan as 'agricultural priority area.' For this zoning to change then representations would need to be made to Environment and it would seem that unless this changes or any applications are made then the land and The Tomato Centre will continue to be a blot on the landscape confined to tourism history.
Pictured main image: The Tomato Centre still standing today in a blanket of brambles.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.