AN organisation which aims to give businesses and residents in the North Quay area of Douglas the chance to share ideas and plan events has been set-up.

The North Quay Community Association has been formed due to more people visiting the area and the success of last year's summer and Christmas markets.

Douglas town centre manager Gill Anderson said: "These past 12 months have shown that more and more visitors and businesses are coming to North Quay, attracted by the marina, the largely traffic-free setting and lively café and restaurant scene.

"In addition, the Quay West development is nearing completion and there are plans to develop sections of South Quay, all of which will be to the benefit of North Quay.

"It's against this background that the decision was taken to form the association, to give businesses there a voice and provide a forum for discussing issues, sharing ideas and working together to increase footfall, plan events and generally promote the North Quay as widely as possible."

Development manager Chris Pycroft said: "The association is open to businesses, not-for-profit organisations and residents in the area between the inner harbour (North Quay) and Lord Street who may wish to have a say in how the full potential of the North Quay can be realised."

Heron and Brearley was one of the first companies to sign up to the association.

Retail director Steven Taylor said: "With our extensive portfolio of managed houses along North Quay, including a number we are currently refurbishing and upgrading, Heron and Brearley is a committed stakeholder in the area.

"We're pleased to be part of an association that shares our strategy of creating great visitor experiences and is dedicated to raising the North Quay's profile.

"We're therefore keen to work with fellow members to develop a year-round programme of events that will put the quay firmly on the town's entertainment map."

The association is a formally constituted body chaired by advocate Laurence Keenan whose law firm has provided the services of trainee advocate Victoria Murphy.

Annual membership fees are £50 for businesses and £10 for residents and not-for-profit organisations.

For more information contact Gill Anderson, Douglas town centre manager, Douglas Development Partnership, Chesterfield House, 7-13 Victoria Street, Douglas, 612022 or email ganderson@ddp.org.im