Renewed call for memorial on Summerland fire site

The Summerland fire occurred on the evening of 2 August 1973

A call for a memorial on the site of the Summerland fire to commemorate the 50 people who died has been renewed ahead of the 51st anniversary of the tragedy.

Douglas Council unveiled a tribute to those who died following the blaze at the complex on 2 August 1973 in the nearby Kaye Memorial Garden on Douglas Promenade in 2013.

But Tina Brennan of the Justice for Summerland campaign said that location "had nothing to do with" the tragedy and a memorial on the site itself would be more appropriate.

A government spokeswoman said the disaster had left a "lasting legacy" on Manx history, and an upcoming ceremony at the existing memorial would acknowledge its "enduring events".

A Douglas Council-led ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday at the local authority's memorial at 18:45 to mark the 51st anniversary.

However, campaigners will be holding a short commemoration at the site itself at 19:00 BST on the same day.

The site has been empty since 2005 and was put up for sale on the open market in 2010.

Demolition of the replacement complex and other remaining buildings on the site took place in 2005

Ms Brennan said it was important to "show survivors and families that we do care, that we have never forgotten".

She said: "This is our history, this is part of our culture, it is part of who we are."

Proposals for a memorial that have been drawn up by Ms Brennen include 17 standing stones representing each of the families, groups of friends and colleagues killed in the fire, along with information about the individuals and the tragedy.

Last year Chief Minister Alfred Cannan issued an apology for the failings that could have prevented the disaster.

In May, campaign group Justice for Summerland said it would take legal action to get the misadventure verdict of the original inquest overturned.

Additional reporting by Emma Draper, Local Democracy Reporter.