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Shopping in Guernsey

Guernsey High St

The main shopping area in Guernsey in the town of St Peter Port which has retained many of its traditional features rather than become a covered shopping mall. The cobbled streets help to retain much of its character and many of the shops are housed in historic buildings.

The majority of the shops are to be found in the High Street, Arcade, Smith Street and Pollet areas although the "Old quarter" beyond the market and up through to Mill Street has an interesting variety of clothes and antique type shops. In addition to many locally run family businesses, many of the large UK chain stores can be found in St Peter Port including M&S, Next, Burtons and Boots. In some cases the full UK price is charged to cover the high freight costs to the island.

However there is no v.a.t. on goods sold in Guernsey and there are many bargains to be had particularly on high value goods, such as jewellery, cameras, and perfume.

High Street, St Peter Port

Mill Street

Mill Street, Old Quarter

Market Building as it looked

Fish stall (as it was)

Fresh produce used to be available in the old Meat, Fish, Vegetable and Flower Market but in recent years the Market Buildings have been completely transformed into a modern shopping arcade whilst at the same time retaining much of the facade.

The Old Guernsey Market comprising of a number of stalls selling traditional Guernsey fayre, is held every Thursday from May through to the 27th September, near the bus terminus. Stall holders are dressed in period costumes. The market was started in 1973 by the Young Businessmen's Group

Old Guernsey Market

Normandie Markets are held twice a year in St Peter Port, organised by the Town Centre Partnership. Dates for 2011 are

May 28th – May 30th
10am until 6pm daily at North Beach Car Park
August 27th – August 31st
10am until 6pm North Beach Car Park

The Normandie Market stall holders provide traditional stalls such as Crepes, Cheese, Lace, Cashmere clothing, Pottery, Toys and Games, Cold Meats, Cider and Wine, Table Cloths, Biscuits, Fruit, Vegetables including Olives and Garlic and Bread and Pastries.

St Peter Port is a popular port for visiting liners. In 2008, 94 liners brought more than 30,000 passengers ashore to shop in the Town and take conducted tours around the island, on Island Coachway coaches. Although Sunday trading laws prevent large shops from opening, souvenir shops are permitted to open on a Sunday when liners make scheduled stops.

St Sampson's Bridge is the island's second mini shopping area and again there are an interesting variety of shops, many of them local stores and is often used by people living in the North of the island. Having said that nowhere is very far in Guernsey and there are also some large stores scattered around the island such as Aladdins Cave where a large variety of household goods can be found and a large Toy area.

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