St Sampson's has the potential to expand its retail offering to complement St Peter Port, says Bridge trader Martin Search.

Mr Search has worked on The Bridge for the past 50 years and is a long time voice of positivity for the area.

He laments the recent closure of two stores, Shoezone and the relatively new Co-Op Locale, but says the area has lots to offer:

"There's parking right outside the shops and it's all on the level. So it works well for the older clientele and well for people in this area. So it's a really good, small environment that just caters for everybody." 

That said, Mr Search says there's plenty that needs to be done to the Bridge:

"It's a port that's under utilised. It's like stepping back into the dark ages here, it's like the 1970s or 1980s. We need to move forward, nothing's been done on the Bridge for 30 to 40 years."

Mr Search is particularly keen to see the Leale's Yard development go ahead, which promises a mix of much needed housing and a new Co-Op store:

"I'd love to see the future development that everyone's talking about.at the moment. I've been on the Bridge for 50 years and if it happens before I disappear I'd be so, so grateful. Because it's just an amazing area and it's got so much scope. The Bridge has never got to its greatest potential, but hopefully it will, one day."