Ramsey Commissioner Lamara Craine has asked for people to approach the idea of closing a street in Ramsey with an open mind.
She is hoping to gain support from her fellow board members to close off a short section of Parliament Street between Christian Street and Crellin’s Lane to vehicles.
Due to go to the board next month, Ms Craine wants to trial the pedestrianisation on Saturdays next summer from May to September.
The section she has suggested has several bars and eateries on it which the Isle of Man Green Party leader says would benefit from the trial.
Trial
Posting on her Facebook page, Ms Craine said: “Now before you get angry, just take a moment to breathe, and please try to keep an open mind and explore this vision with me. Let’s go!
“So I know that change is scary. There are so many unknowns. And I know that change involves risks. But also, staying the same forever also involves risks. Not being able to adapt means being open to weakness and ultimate failure.”
She added: “Hospitality is being hit hard. People can socialise via text, video call and game, all without leaving the house. We need to support our public social network spaces.
“We need to look at what hospitality businesses are doing in the UK and Europe, and we need to keep up with the times.
“We need to make our town centre somewhere people want to visit and to actually stay, not just jump out of their car to buy one item and jump back in again. It just doesn’t bring money into town like one might think (google it, it’s true!).”
Benefits
As well as benefitting local businesses, Ms Craine outlined that pedestrianisation leads to cleaner air, safer streets, provides more chance for community spaces and encourages a more active lifestyle.
She said: “Imagine, tables in the street, people dining, chatting and laughing together. Beautiful planters and trees lining the area, setting the scene for a nice relaxing afternoon in the better weather.
“Pubs with tables and guys out having a good old catch up over a few beers in the fresh air. People bustling by, bumping into their friends while out shopping, stopping to chat. Having the leisure of space and time to catch up with someone you haven’t seen in ages.”
And added: “It might sound optimistic, but no vision ever started with negativity!”
Maps
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