Rooftop bar, climbing wall and concert hall in £110m Fort Regent plans

Ambitious £110 million plans have been unveiled to transform Fort Regent into all-weather family leisure and entertainment venue by the end of 2028.

The latest plans, revealed by the government today (2 April), emphasise a 'financially sustainable, family-focused, all-weather, flexible' vision for Fort Regent. 

The main arena will be the 'largest on the island' - transforming the Gloucester Hall into a flexible 2,500 seat acoustic theatre. This will allow Jersey to attract larger live performances and events and provide flexibility for DJ events, conferences, conventions and/or a show court for sporting events.

Outside gardens, a skate park, running track and heritage trail will have views of St Helier and the harbour.

Jersey Development Company has released concept images of their vision, sharing what the Fort could look like by the end of 2028.

Teenage-focused areas, such as ball courts, will give younger generations a place to gather and hang out. 

These include a 3x3 ball court, destination skatepark catering to all ages, and a pump track for BMXers and Mountain Bikers

A teenage zone will be part of a dedicated social space for older children and teenagers

An undercover market space will make the Fort a multi-weather venue.

The Piazza and adjacent perimeter Garrison Rooms will be redesigned as an arts and culture hub.

This will provide spaces for performing arts, music and artist studios, surrounding a large covered space for hosting exhibitions and local craft markets, similar to what is seen in different parishes across the island.

This space will also be able to host events and live performances and serve as the home of Jersey’s winter ice rink.

Using the high vantage point of the fort, the plans want to create St Helier's' only 'real' rooftop bar, with the potential for DJ events.

Part of the ramparts - where defensive structures have already been removed - offer views out over St Helier

The Queens Hall (the Rotunda) will be converted into a multi-functional entertainment complex over two floors.

It will house a six-screen cinema with an accompanying bowling alley and arcade with e-gaming.

The height of the former Active Gym space will be repurposed as a multi-activity facility for all ages, featuring a ‘Ninja Warrior ’- style active play zone, sky trail, and climbing and bouldering wall. 

A public consultation, which opens today, will ask islanders if they are interested in the return of the Fort Regent cable cars, and if so, how much they would pay for a journey.

Accessibility to the Fort will be enhanced, as well as the building of a new entrance building.

The plans are estimated to cost £110m, excluding the cost of a hotel on the site of the former swimming pool, which will be privately owned and funded. 

Financing for the regeneration will come from Fort Regent revenues, borrowing, capital budget contributions, and additional government contributions.

Funding will need to be agreed upon by the States Assembly. 

Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said:

"The long-overdue redevelopment of Fort Regent Leisure Centre represents a transformational investment in Jersey’s community. Working with the Jersey Development Company, we have developed an ambitious plan that delivers modern, high-quality leisure and recreational facilities with a particular focus on children and young adults.

"I look forward to hearing Islanders’ views during the consultation process and to seeing Fort Regent fully revitalised as a vibrant social hub at the heart of Island life."

The timeline wants the site to be empty by the end of 2025, with safety works beginning in March 2026 funded by the College Gardens Fund. 

JDC is running a survey as part of a public consultation on the plans; it can be found here.

It will also be going into schools to get responses from children and teenagers. 

The plans are prioritising an 'all weather' space

In March 2027, the 'reinstallment' works will begin - where the plans will begin to come to life. 

Lee Henry, CEO of Jersey Development Company, said these plans are different to what has come before:

"Firstly, we are honoured to have been entrusted by the government to regenerate Fort Regent

"For these plans, we've very much looked at this as a major refurbishment. The space is immense and offers massive opportunity.

"We're looking at minimising the upfront capital that's required, and we're looking at the sustainability of the revenue and the operating costs going forward."

The future of Fort Regent has been in the balance for years, with plans proposed, considered unaffordable, or rejected multiple times.

READ: What Next For Fort Regent?

Last May, the Infrastructure Minister said plans would be announced 'soon.'

Complaints grew as tenants awaited development ideas they said they hadn't been involved in.

Last month, meetings amongst tenants and stakeholders - called a 'last ditch attempt' to save the site - were organised. 

A public presentation of the plans will be held on the 22 April at the Pomme D'or Hotel, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, to ask questions and provide feedback.