Bar revamp in memory of son 'bitter sweet project'

Brett Martin said the refurbished bar paid tribute to his son's fun side

The refurbishment of a hotel bar in memory of a 21-year-old who died after contracting meningitis was a "bitter sweet project", his father has said.

Looky's Lounger Bar, named in memory Lucas Martin who died in September, is set to be opened at the Palace Hotel in Douglas on Friday.

Lucas' father Brett Martin, who is the chief executive of Palace Holdings, said the project was designed to pay tribute to his son's sense of fun.

Several features of the lounge had been influenced by things Lucas - affectionally known as Looky - found pleasure in, including cherry blossom, he said.

Lucas Martin died in September at the age of 21 as a result of bacterial meningitis

While plans to redesign the space started in late spring 2023, Mr Martin said following his son's death he "started thinking what a great legacy it would be" to dedicate it to him.

Lucas had worked at the hotel during his summer holidays, initially in housekeeping but moving on to bar work when he turned 18.

In December, his family founded the charity Looky's Aid, which aims to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and a donation station to allow people to support that work has been installed in the bar.

The refurbished lounge bar features cherry blossom in tribute to Lucas' love of it

Mr Martin said while the charity paid tribute to Lucas' "caring nature", the new venue was designed to be a legacy to his fun side.

"Lucas wore a smile from dawn to dusk, was unromantically optimistic and wanted the best for his family," he said.

The family was "honouring his memory in a positive way" because "if we sunk into despair he would be furious with us", he added.