Three Ideas to Revive Douglas City Centre

Douglas City Council has unveiled a trio of ideas it hopes will bring a bit more buzz to the capital, including a giant movable ‘DOUGLAS’ sign, pop-up cube seats for tired shoppers and a new run of seaside produce markets.

The proposals are part of the council’s City Centre Strategy, which aims to boost footfall, help local businesses and generally make the city centre a nicer place to hang out.

First up is a new ‘Do Douglas’ campaign, which would feature a large sculpture spelling out ‘DOUGLAS’, alongside the Manx name ‘Doolish’.

The plan is for the sign to be moveable, meaning it could pop up at different spots around town and double up as a photo opportunity for visitors, if they’re not happy enough with the Gibb brothers that is.

Next on the list is something for anyone who’s done one lap too many of Strand Street: cube seating.

The council wants to install so-called ‘Deacon’ cube seats along the main shopping streets.

Each cube would be a single seat with armrests, basically a quick pit stop for weary shoppers who’ve been carrying too many bags or husbands waiting patiently for their partner who will ‘only be two minutes’.

Like the sign, the seats would also be moveable, allowing council staff to reposition them where they’re needed and alongside existing benches and street furniture.

And finally, there’s food. Because every good town centre plan probably needs some.

The council is proposing a monthly local produce market on Loch Promenade, running from April through to September.

If approved by the DoI, the markets would take place on the third weekend of each month and showcase Manx produce while bringing a bit more life to the promenade.

Chair of the regeneration and community committee Councillor Natalie Byron-Teare said the plans are all about making Douglas a more vibrant place for both residents and visitors.

She said: ‘Douglas City Council is committed to creating a city centre that’s fun, safe and full of life, and this proposal marks an exciting step in that vision.

‘From photo-ready sculptures to comfy resting spots and lively produce markets, these plans are all about making our city the place to be for residents and visitors alike.’

Before anyone starts planning their ‘DOUGLAS’ selfie, there is one important detail, the funding.

The council is hoping to secure money from the Local Economy Fund, which is run by the Department for Enterprise.

While up to £100,517 could be temporarily set aside from council reserves, the authority says the projects will only go ahead if the full funding is secured.

So for now the big sign, cube seats and prom-side markets are still just proposals. We wait to see if they get the green light.