A nightclub, Wetherspoons, or even a Primark? Islanders have been suggesting what they’d like to see on the Waterfront as Jersey Development Company considers the future of the former TGI Fridays site.

The JDC is 'reviewing options' for the unit occupied by the now-closed American-style diner and wants to discuss ideas with 'various parties'.

It is all part of the future planning for the prime Waterfront location, which is close to the Horizon development, Cineworld cinema, and the Radisson Blu hotel.

In a statement in response to Tuesday’s announcement that the Jersey TGIs was not part of a rescue deal for the chain, Jersey Development Company says:

"[We were] saddened to hear the recent news regarding TGI Friday’s immediate closure of its Waterfront premises.

"JDC is reviewing options for the site and will be engaging in discussions with carious parties to plan the next steps for the future of the TGI Friday's site."

TGI Fridays on Jersey's Waterfront

A former employee at Jersey's TGI Fridays shared with Channel 103 the details of how the closure was conveyed to staff.

"I joined the business call and it was closed, immediately, with (immediate) effect.

"It's so sad. We were literally like a family. We were really close there.

"Everyone who worked there was really young …the kitchen was [mainly] the full-time people."

More than a third of TGI Fridays have shut following the buyout, with the loss of around 1,000 jobs.  It’s not clear how many local redundancies are among that number.

Channel 103 asked people what they would like to take the place of the diner. A venue to boost the night-time economy was a popular idea:

Good nightclub, like in the old days "Liquid" .

- Marcin Michal

Wetherspoons would do well there!

- Dean Wood

Music venue pub.

- Luciano Brambilla

Casino, nice disco.

- Jorge Melim

Others want to see the site filled with restaurants, yet to launch in the island:

Wagamama

- Kydd de la Mare

Mowgli Restaurant by Nisha Katona.

- Douglas Daniel Duff

Harvester

- Barbara Short

Nando’s

- Patricia Cruz

Some islanders turned to retail and leisure for their suggestions: 

Zara

- Leanna Lucy

Primark

- Georgia Kirwan

Primark! That would increase the footfall a bit!!

- Lulu Baylee

Bowling, an old style American diner, keep the cinema, more things to entertain children host kids parties etc...

- Melissa Frost

Indoor Kart/Mini Moto track.

- Simon Stratford

 Arcade

- Bryan Bargante

A cat cafe

- Kam Jeenes

Although, others had criticisms:

Why exactly are you asking the public what we would like to see, what we want and what we will get are two different things.

- Karen Richardson

There is so much that can be done but it doesn’t matter what we suggest...

We never get listened to!!!

- Vicky McAlorum

Does not matter what public want.

It’s what The States want that matters, they have probably decided already what’s going there.

It is just a protocol to ask the public.

Makes it look like they are interested in our opinions.

- Irene Raikes

 The beach?

- Philip Johnson

The beach.

- Mark Bowden

Bulldozed returned to the sea.

- Stuart Nimmo

Units previously occupied by Pizza Hut and THE Bar remain empty, while last month JDC said the premises formerly Arcadia and WYSIWYG were being refitted with an announcement expected soon on its new use.

A deal between Cineworld and JDC in July 2023 aims to keep it open until at least 2027.

Last year, JDC's plans for 1,000 new homes on the Waterfront were refused.  Since then, the States Assembly has voted that half of any future homes on the site must be for first-time buyers or downsizers.