Communities to play role in plan to boost centres

About 17% of retail units in Ramsey's high street are vacant

Local communities will play a leading role in boosting trade in a new plan to rejuvenate Manx town centres, the agency behind the document has said.

The draft Local Economy Strategy is set to introduce tools and funding for residents, local authorities, and businesses to improve trade in their local areas.

The 10-year plan sets out 20 goals to help fill empty shops, increase footfall and create jobs in the island's retail, leisure and hospitality sectors.

Business Isle of Man chief executive Tim Cowsill said local representatives were "best placed" to make decisions on their future, and the framework would "empower them" to do that.

He said the island's economy had "weathered the storms" of the pandemic and cost of living crisis "really well" and data gathered for the document would provide a "benchmark" to improve high streets.

'Local first'

Research into the island's town centres, consultation with local authorities and 90 businesses, and a survey that attracted about 1,200 responses from residents fed into the plan.

In ratings out of five, the retail offering received an average of 1.9, with strong demand for both well-known brands and a variety independent stores provide shown.

The hospitality industry received 2.7, with desires for improved customer service, better value and more speciality restaurants.

Mr Cowsill said a "local-first" approach would be adopted to support local traders to help reduce vacancy rates and fill jobs, but if figures did not improve as expected "we will look at adjusting the strategy".

The plan would work with communities and local authorities to identify gaps and fill them, he said.

Details of a new fund to support the strategy are set to be confirmed in the autumn, the agency has said.