The Chief Minister has sent a strong message to the public saying we can’t have the luxury of both a vibrant town centre and an out-of-town one-stop retail development.
Allan Bell admitted his frustration at the decline of Strand Street in Douglas but said he believes that improving the economy long term will eventually revive the Island’s retail sector.
He highlighted that the Isle of Man is fairing better than most UK regions, where one in every four shops is boarded up, but said the public must consider the long-term effects of an out-of-town development (see audio).
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