Shipping service French Connection could be forced to cancel its monthly call in to Alderney if more local orders are not received, directors have warned.
The Guernsey-based freight company has been running a route from Alderney to Carteret since January. In recent months however they have been operating the Alderney service at a loss, with its only regular orders coming from Le Cocqs.
Their boat, the Breqhou Warrior, has a 5m by 18m deck space and can carry up to 90 tonnes of freight. Sales manager Laure Abeille-Brown explained: "The six or seven pallets we are transporting is not enough to sustain the route and for the last three months we have been running at a loss. We won't stop it overnight - we will try to keep going for another couple of months. Alderney is a small market and it's only a small boat, but we have to cover our costs."
French Connections source and transport a wide range of products from suppliers in France, providing costs and samples for clients before they make an order. As well as dried, chilled and frozen groceries from Promocash, and alcohol, they supply building materials from French giant, BigMat, furniture from chain Maison du Monde, plus materials like reclaimed cobbles for building projects and hardwood, kiln dried logs. They also transport cars to and from the Continent.
Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Eggleston, who forwarded an appeal to members to "use the service or lose it" said: "It would be a great shame to see another business close because of lack of support." For information contact French Connections on 722388 or at laure@islebc.com
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 