The New Year will mean a new look for Ramsey thanks to the ongoing regeneration work which is improving the appearance of the town centre.
 
The project is progressing well with the area surrounding the Post Office nearing completion. High quality materials have been used in a design which emphasises the importance of this central area of the town.
 
The scheme includes a new hard landscaped area to the front of the Post Office which will provide space for people to meet and sit. Lighting is being used extensively to add to the character of the area. Finishing touches including new benches, bins and signage are being installed which will complete the transformation to a high quality public space.
 
The next section of the works in this area will be the intersections which link Parliament Street to Court Row and Market Hill. These works will be undertaken in January 2013 and will take approximately four weeks to complete. During this time, the area will be closed to vehicular traffic but pedestrian access will be maintained. The small area where water has been pooling will also be rectified at this time.
 
The works are affected by periods of low temperature and heavy rainfall however during such inclement weather the team continue by installing street furniture, lighting and planting.
 
The works have been carefully managed in order to ensure that key milestones were met, including the opening up of the War Memorial in time for Remembrance Day and the Christmas lights ‘switch on’ on the 16 November.
 
Chris Blatcher, Chairman of the Ramsey Chamber of Commerce said: ‘We are very excited that the works are coming to fruition. The project team has worked very hard and the results are very impressive and we were particularly pleased that the Christmas lights were able to be switched on earlier than originally planned.
 
‘The comments received from customers with regard to the work that has been finished to date have been very positive and we look forward to seeing the benefits of the regeneration works on retail trade in Ramsey.’
 
Chief Minister and Ramsey MHK Alan Bell commented: ‘The improvements to this part of Ramsey demonstrate why the regeneration of our town and village centres is so important. An enhanced public environment raises community pride, encourages new investment and supports the message that the Isle of Man is a quality business centre with the infrastructure to match.’
 
The key aims of the regeneration scheme are to improve the appearance of the Island’s towns and village centres, support existing local businesses and to encourage new economic investment.
 
Around 150 projects in seven towns and villages have already benefited from funding, or have applied for grant assistance. Several more bids are in the pipeline.
 
Regeneration awards have been approved for a wide range of activities across the Island, from minor improvements to individual properties and parades of shops, through to larger scale schemes to create more vibrant commercial centres.
 
The projects have been co-ordinated by Regional Regeneration Committees – partnerships between Government, local authorities and private enterprise – and influenced by public feedback via consultations and roadshows.