'No car park, no deal!'

That's the response of Treasury Minister Allan Bell to an offer from Douglas Corporation to sell the Bowl in Douglas to the Manx government for ?1.

The issue of a joint refurbishment scheme between government and the local council was raised for a third time yesterday, as Douglas Borough Council kept its rates at the same level for the next financial year.

However, after a short debate the motion was defeated by 13 votes to four.

Council leader David Christian said a deal was on the table to sell the Bowl to government for a nominal fee and it could be concluded within a week.

But he claimed the car park played no part in the Bowl stadium package, was never included in the original scheme and remained in the council's strategic plan for parking within the town.

Mr Bell says the car park is an essential element of the stadium: