immortalpuppet Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 (edited) Have been following a story about an old Debenhams site being turned into an activity area with karting and shit like that. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57934829 I don’t see the Summerland site ever being used again, and I think there is far too much risk involved in creating something out of old retail units such as Chester street or the Castle Mona. Short trips to the UK are ok if you are that way inclined but it’s a crying shame we don’t have a big fun/leisure facility anymore. Edited July 26, 2021 by immortalpuppet Added link to the article 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanShimmin Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 There are plenty of sites in and around Douglas. Lord Street could probably do with a big multi-storey carpark on top and some leisure facility underneath. I'm not sure those plans for the Travelodge and cinema will ever become reality. I'm curious what is happening with Castle Mona (I'm not a conservation anorak). There seemed to be loads of work and now maybe it's stopped again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Instead of pissing £50m away on a terminal in Liverpool, it would have been better spent incentivising some of these failed developments. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTailT Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 2 hours ago, AlanShimmin said: There are plenty of sites in and around Douglas. Lord Street could probably do with a big multi-storey carpark on top and some leisure facility underneath. I'm not sure those plans for the Travelodge and cinema will ever become reality. I'm curious what is happening with Castle Mona (I'm not a conservation anorak). There seemed to be loads of work and now maybe it's stopped again? Lord St being sold to a Chinese gaming firm as we speak. To become offices with retail, food and a casino. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uhtred Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Gladys said: Instead of pissing £50m away on a terminal in Liverpool, it would have been better spent incentivising some of these failed developments. Glad, I admire your doggedness in suggesting ways in which IOMG might inject logic, reason and common sense into its policy decisions. I really do. You're also condemning yourself to a lifetime of disappointment. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanShimmin Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 13 minutes ago, NoTailT said: Lord St being sold to a Chinese gaming firm as we speak. To become offices with retail, food and a casino. Wasn't it already sold though? The new buyer did the ice rink then wanted a car park but DOI said no until they did the border thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevster Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 4 hours ago, immortalpuppet said: I don’t see the Summerland site ever being used again Aren't there problems with the stability of the cliff - hence part of the old aquadrome being left in place, and issues with the householders living above the site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilp Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 1 hour ago, NoTailT said: Lord St being sold to a Chinese gaming firm as we speak. To become offices with retail, food and a casino. Leaving enough space for 6 banks of course. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTailT Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, AlanShimmin said: Wasn't it already sold though? The new buyer did the ice rink then wanted a car park but DOI said no until they did the border thing. Yes and that buyer is now selling it. Or that's what the old boy at Cowley Groves was telling me anyway. Edited July 26, 2021 by NoTailT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nom de plume Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 (edited) There is no appetite for leisure or commercial developers to invest here whilst our population is so small & house prices so high (and spiralling). We need a huge increase in footfall everywhere but I'm afraid our housing policy has killed everything. We will remain stagnant for decades. Sorry. Edited July 26, 2021 by Nom de plume 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTeapot Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Doom spreading again Nom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nom de plume Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 4 minutes ago, TheTeapot said: Doom spreading again Nom? I'm a glass half full guy by nature but I'm afraid I speak the truth on this one. We need the next administration to prioritise the housing sector if this Island is to move forwards. Some very uncomfortable policy decisions to be made. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Mexico Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 6 minutes ago, Nom de plume said: I'm a glass half full guy by nature but I'm afraid I speak the truth on this one. We need the next administration to prioritise the housing sector if this Island is to move forwards. Some very uncomfortable policy decisions to be made. But no matter how many houses get built there's no guarantee that they will become affordable. The wealthy will just buy them up and let them out at high rents or just leave them vacant as an investment. Unless you control the market directly, you can't rely on normal market forces to do so because there is a whole world (literally) of finance looking for safe places to invest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nom de plume Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Just now, Roger Mexico said: But no matter how many houses get built there's no guarantee that they will become affordable. The wealthy will just buy them up and let them out at high rents or just leave them vacant as an investment. Unless you control the market directly, you can't rely on normal market forces to do so because there is a whole world (literally) of finance looking for safe places to invest. That is the conundrum and uncomfortable truth RM. As I say, without drastic (and I mean drastic) action this Island will sit & rot with little to no private investment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc.fixit Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 (edited) Try reading the new, proposed green future document. It seems we are going to have to pay a fortune and end up trundling round on electric scooters because the IOM will save the planet by cutting back its tremendous pollution! Jeez, it so pisses me off, we certainly shouldn't create excessive pollution, whatever that means, but the IOM going zero emission is not only impossible it's not necessary either. I don't mean to upset anyone but that's my opinion based on experience and my view of the world. Edited July 26, 2021 by doc.fixit 4 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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