Opening Knight

The first corporate event to be staged in the new Markets building was held by Swoffers recently.

Complete with ox roast, towering flags, knights in armour and medieval music, the evening was hailed a huge success.

The St George’s Day celebration breathed new life back into the Markets’ inner street when this first large-scale event to be staged in the redeveloped ‘heart of Guernsey’ was held.

The Medieval Ox Roast was hailed a success, with more than 120 people entertained on the historic site. Many were invited through corporate links, with strong representation from lawyers, accountants, financiers and investors who have regular contact with the agency.

‘This is probably the most important site in our island community and it has been at the centre of life in Guernsey for many centuries. It is fantastic to be able to use it in this new way,’ Swoffers’ Managing Director Matthew Henry told the gathering.

For many guests, it was their first chance to see the new look Market and their reaction was entirely positive. Developers McAulay have a small amount of work to complete in the street section. ‘We are nearly there and it is terrific to see people enjoying the area in this way. It is exactly what we have wanted all along,’ said Sonia Taylor of Bailiwick Estates, which manages the property.

The evening got underway with drinks and canapés, followed by dinner served at a central trestle table that filled one third of the spacious area. Beef for the traditional celebration was flown in especially from Scotland.

Following the successful inaugural event, hospitality group Christie’s hopes to use the inner street for a variety of functions. ‘It is perfect for entertaining and can hold 200 people,’ said Christie’s Group Manager Phillip Collinson.

Event organiser Kay Leslie of Hire Instinct PR & Marketing said the combination of architectural heritage, contemporary facilities and levels of interest in the massive redevelopment made it a natural choice for the St George’s Day celebration. ‘Hopefully it marked the start of a return to regular use for the spot often described as the heart of Guernsey,’ she said.