UK's largest specialist wine retailer opens Jersey store

Majestic has opened its first shop in the Channel Islands on Queen's Road in St Helier.

The retailer has leased the 5,695 sq ft unit at the Powerhouse.  It will stock more than 1,200 wines, beers, spirits, no and low-alcohol and soft drinks.

Majestic has 200 stores across the British Isles and was founded in 1980 by Sheldon Graner.  This is its first outside of the UK mainland.

CEO John Colley says the company has had its eye on Jersey for several years as part of its growth plans.

"We can’t wait to welcome the people of Jersey, share our expert knowledge and help them discover new wines, beers and spirits they will love."

Left: Constable Simon Crowcroft of St Helier; right: Majestic CEO John Colley

The alcohol business has employed staff locally, as part of its 'commitment' to the island, with two jobs still available.

Employees will be trained to offer customers free wine tastings, seven days a week, giving them the chance to try before they buy.

Staff will also have the chance to gain diplomas, paid for by the company, to expand their knowledge of wines.

The CEO explains why opening a store in Jersey makes sense.

"We have been opening stores quite aggressively for the last couple of years. We have opened 10 up across the UK and we are always looking at new place to open.

"We have a list of targets of locations where we want to open shops. We will look at Guernsey as well but Jersey was absolutely top.

"There are some really good competitors on the island, so we can see how well those businesses do. We have also got lots of customers who shop in the UK that live in Jersey, so we have got quite a lot of information that tells us this is a really great place to open a store."

The shop on Queen's Road has the largest fine wine wall out of Majestic's stores in the British Isles.

192 wines ranging from £30 to around £550 are available with six bottles open for wine tastings.

St Helier Constable, Simon Crowcroft, has welcomed the opening of the new store.

'We are very lucky in Jersey that we have such an interest in people investing, particularly in retail, so that empty premises do not stay empty for long.

"The fact a company like Majestic is willing to come to Jersey and invest a lot of money in these premises is, I think, a sign of how healthy our economy is."