'They got our hopes up': Young islanders disappointed as Fort Regent plans stall

The government says it's reassessing the costs of the planned transformation, plunging the future of the Fort back into uncertainty.

Jersey Development Company shared the vision for the Fort's regeneration - complete with a concert and sports arena - 18 months ago, in April 2025, with a target completion date of the end of 2028.

Read: New plans for £110M Fort Regent revealed

The scheme received 'overwhelming support' from public surveys and JDC visited schools to present the vision.

Read: Fort Regent plans receive 'overwhelming' support

But a statement issued by the government on Tuesday (10 November) signals a rethink, and  - at the very least - a long delay to the redevelopment of the Fort, which has been closed and vacant since September 2025. 

We're told work to repair and secure the building will go to tender next year.  £43m is allocated in the 2027 Budget for essential maintenance including repairs to the roof and glazing, conservation of the old fort walls and improving drainage and fire safety systems.

The government says this tender process work will give it more certainty over the cost of repair work.

Ministers also want to test what private-sector interest there is in investing in or operating all or parts of the site for hospitality, sport or entertainment purposes.

Updated plans were released by JDC in April 2026

An 'external specialist adviser' will be appointed to determine if there is 'credible commercial interest.'

The government says it will 'continue to assess different options for the future use and regeneration of the Fort', with a further announcement on the 'next steps' expected in mid-2027.

Reacting to the government statement, young islanders have told Channel 103 they feel like they 'got their hopes up':

One thirteen year old said:

"They came into our schools and showed us cool things like the bowling alley and the arcade. We were told it was going to be opened in January 2028 and then we could be using it when we're 14 and 15, hanging out with our friends. 

"But it's not going to be that way now, so they've kind of got our hopes up for no reason."

Others said it had looked exciting:

"We only really have one skatepark and only a few football spots, and most of the time they're closed. 

"After a bit, most of the places in Jersey get boring over time if you continue to do it over and over, and I thought Fort Regent being redesigned would have been something that everyone would like because it's new; there would have been a bit more. 

"I was looking forward to the skate park and the e-games. It's kind of bad because we had to wait a long time, and now the government say they might not do it.

"I was really into it; it was great. I thought it was really going to happen as well."

Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Renouf

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf said:

“Fort Regent is an important public asset and there is a clear need to deal with the significant investment required after many years of under-investment in the building.

“At the same time, the new Council of Ministers has to consider Fort Regent alongside the many other demands on public finances and make sure that any further investment is affordable and provides good value for Islanders.

“Rather than committing now to one particular option, we are using the coming months to establish the actual cost of the essential works, test whether there is meaningful private-sector interest and properly assess the different options available to Government.

“This work will ensure Ministers have the information they need to make properly informed decisions about the future of Fort Regent.”

Last month Channel 103 revealed plans for the Fort had fallen months behind schedule.  At that time, the government told us the election period and 'conservation considerations' had slowed the process.

A previous masterplan for Fort Regent  - with hotel, event venue, cinema and bowling alley - was unveiled by government in 2021, and shelved by ministers in 2023 for cost reasons.  A similar £85 million scheme from 2014 also failed over lack of funding.