Victor Hugo Centre appeal nears £7m

A charity hoping to open a Victor Hugo Centre in Guernsey has asked islanders wanting to "do something good for Christmas" for donations.

Chairman Larry Malcic said a charity dinner in November had raised £30,000, putting the total fundraising efforts "just shy of £7m".

The appeal has said money raised through pledges and donations will be used to create an event space, museum and learning hub in the States Offices building in St Peter Port.

Mr Malcic said the overall target was £10m in order to fund the building and also create an endowment to ensure the centre's sustainability for the long-term future.

Speaking to BBC Radio Guernsey, Mr Malcic said reaching £7m was not just a recognition of the generosity of the people of Guernsey, but also a "recognition of all the benefits that the centre can bring".

"It will be transformational, not only for St Peter Port and for Guernsey, but also for international visitors and an international audience who are really keen on Victor Hugo," he said.

Hugo lived in Guernsey for 15 years and in St Peter Port he wrote novels including Les Miserables, Toilers of the Sea, The Man Who Laughs, The Legend of the Ages and Ninety-Three at Hauteville House.

The States Offices building earmarked to become the centre overlooks the harbour where Hugo first arrived in 1855 after three years in Jersey.

Mr Malcic estimated the Victor Hugo Centre would be fully operational in about three years.

"I wish it was closer, but it takes a while to do the construction," he said.

"What we are doing, though, is we're beginning the planning process so that we can get the planning consent so that as soon as we actually finish the fundraising, we're able to start the project."

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