The first part of Castletown's new Callow's Yard development is nearly ready to open to the public.

Some shops and restaurants on the Arbory Street side will be in business in the new few weeks, with the rest of the centre opening in stages through the spring and summer.

Callow's Yard was the venue for Lloyds TSB's Business Breakfast today, to which100 local people were invited.

It was held in a marquee in the Arena, which in future will be used for events ranging from summer weddings to winter ice skating.

Among the guests was Chief Minister Tony Brown, the Castletown MHK.

He says the fruits of four years' work will soon be savoured by the public:

"It's been quite a difficult time for many of the small businesses in the town because [they've been] directly affected by the development being round them, or in the centre of them.

"There has been inconvenience for people trying to come into town but I think we have to, as with all these things, take a longer view.

"And the view is yes, it's been about four years in the making, and once it's complete it will be a hundred years in being able to use it, so we all benefit in the longer term.

"People, through seeing things going on, were concerned about whether it was going to be right for the town and I think they will have to judge that themselves when they actually see it completed, which is not far off."