Another successful year for the Barclays Jersey Boat Show

Thousands of people flocked to the 11th annual Barclays Jersey Boat Show this Bank Holiday Weekend, for what has been one of its most successful shows yet.

Boasting glorious sunshine and high temperatures throughout the 3-day show, it is estimated that in excess of 35,000* people were encouraged to visit St Helier Marina and Weighbridge Place to take advantage of all the activities on offer. These included super-yachts and watercraft on St Helier Marina pontoons, visiting Royal Navy vessels, quayside exhibitors offering variety of marine leisure and lifestyle products, as well as catering franchises. A number of new activities were programmed in the Flybe Outdoor & Active Zone, including stand up paddle board racing, charity duck racing, trial bike demonstrations and the participation of a number of community and charity associations.

For the first time in the boat show’s history, three members from Skydive Jersey parachuted into St Helier Harbour every afternoon, delighting the huge crowds as they did so.

The Solent Stevedores Main Stage, which for the first time was located in Weighbridge Place, attracted large numbers and featured a varied programme with performances from both local and visiting acts, including crowd favourites Take This, Inside Job, Little Big Band and Hot Bananas. For the first time, a ‘Big Screen’ was installed in the area with the live activities from around the show being broadcast ‘live’ onto the screen.

Both landside exhibitors and St Helier Marina traders have reported ‘buoyant sales’ and the overall feedback and response from participants has been very positive overall with many already expressing an interest in taking part again in 2019.

Myra Shacklady, who has held responsibility for the overall organisation of the show since its inaugural event in 2008, comments, “Ports of Jersey is delighted with what appears to be one of our most successful shows yet, in terms of attendance numbers, business that’s been generated and positive feedback received. We would like to thank everyone who has played a part in this year’s show and in particular the public who continue to show their enthusiasm by coming down and supporting us. This weekend’s event truly reflects the community spirit that exists in our Island and that we should continue to embrace. It also clearly demonstrates why the Barclays Jersey Show remains the largest free-entry public event in the Channel Islands.”

On behalf of title sponsor Barclays, Managing Director for the Channel Islands, Paul Savery, says, “Every year, the Barclays Jersey Boat Show attracts islanders and visitors alike to spend time enjoying a wide variety of activities in and around St Helier Harbour and 2018 has been no exception. We are over the moon with the response we have had this year. In particular, our fund-raising activities on behalf of the Jersey Branch of the Royal British Legion has raised some much-needed funds and of course I must mention our Barclays Duck, ‘Bubbles’, who has gone down a treat with people of all ages. Our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us this year and we look forward to doing it all again in 2019, when Barclays will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its association with the show.”

The Barclays Jersey Boat Show remains the largest free entry event in the Channel Islands and is organised and promoted by Ports of Jersey and managed by local events specialists, 3D Events. Its ability to stage a show of this size and provide free entry is as a result of the continuing financial support by sponsors, including its title-sponsor Barclays.

The Jersey Boat Show was first staged in 2008 on a very low scale as a means of showcasing the local marine leisure industry. That commitment remains but it has grown over the years, successfully attracting a large number of diverse businesses from both on and off the Island.

Comments are closed.