Ramsey Town Commissioners have been encouraged by the government’s stance in relation to Next plc’s application to include the sale of clothing at its proposed Next Home Store on the Spring Valley industrial estate.
At the Commission’s January public meeting Commissioners Richard Radcliffe and Dr Alex Allinson were among those who said they were ‘heartened’ that the retailer’s application for consent to the sale of children’s wear in the store had been rejected.
Commissioners remained firmly of the opinion there was no evidence of demand. Additionally Mr Radcliffe pointed out that the rejection reflected conditions attached to the planning consent for the store that restricted the range of products which could be sold to principally building and home improvement items and allied electrical and outdoor equipment.
The condition was, said Mr Radcliffe, consistent with a 1987 resolution by Tynwald that stated: ‘Positive steps should now be taken to revitalise existing town and village centres for the benefit of the whole community…and no further major out-of-town retailing developments should be permitted.’
Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass said: ‘At a time of increasingly challenging trading conditions and when local authorities are investing in regeneration schemes to revitalise retail activity in town centres, establishing more out-of-town retail operations will have an Island-wide detrimental effect.
‘Is is vital we support local businesses and the Commissioners will continue to actively oppose any such further applications. In this regard we applaud the government for recognising the negative impact out-of-town retailing will have on our towns and villages and, ultimately, on the Island’s economy.’
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