95c
ISSUE 31
JULY 2012
PUBLISHERS OF
News and What’s on information for Normandy and the surrounding area
Passengers braced for ferry service cutbacks Hollande’s D-Day visit makes history
Barfleur, chartered to another ferry company. The company did not deny that in a BRITTANY Ferries is set to make worst-case scenario further routes severe cutbacks on its routes from could be taken out of service and Normandy to the UK and Ireland in prices increased. the face of the mounting eurozone The spokeswoman added: “We economic crisis. cannot rule out the withdrawal of a At the very least, the 2.6m passennumber of Channel crossings as gers using the ferry company every part of our aim of optimising the use year, of whom 85% are British, are of ferries.” Expats who use the crosslikely to find there are fewer boats Channel ferries regularly from and a trimmed-back service. Normandy, and The company also British businesses in confirmed that its the region, potentially 2,500 employees face face the prospect of new working hours, a loss of perks and, as a We cannot rule out less choice and higher fares, as do second last resort, wage cuts the withdrawal of home owners and and job losses. holidaymakers. It It is holding talks could even halt peowith port operators in a number of ple’s hopes of buying. Cherbourg and Caen Estate agent Suz-Ouistreham over the Channel crossings anne Pearce who lives summer as well as Brittany Ferries in Gathemo, Manche, with staff. spokeswoman and crosses the A spokeswoman Channel around nine said: “The company times a year, said: “I prefer to take has been facing difficulties for four Brittany Ferries from Caen as it years and needs to recover its commeans I have no tolls to pay, petitiveness to safeguard its future. “It is imperative Brittany Ferries Î Turn to page 2 adopts an economic model adapted to the current economic situation in the eurozone and the strength of the M 05198 - 31 - F: 0,95 E pound against the euro.” The winter route from Cherbourg to Poole has already been axed and one of the company’s larger boats, the
“
3:HIKPLJ=]UU^ZX:?a@k@d@b@k;
Photo: PhotoPQR/Ouest France/Stéphane Geufroi
by RAY CLANCY
Full story: Page7
Buying or selling a property in France? Your high street bank offers foreign exchange as part of its service. At HiFX, foreign exchange is our business.
9 Bank beating exchange rates over the phone or online 9 Track payments 24 hours a day 9 Tailored, personal service 9 VeriSign security used by 97 of the World’s top 100 banks 9 No hidden charges
Don’t let the banks cash in. www.hifx.co.uk