Published Date:
12 January 2009
RAMSEY'S landmark Grand Island Hotel will close on February 9 with the loss of 18 jobs as well as an important venue for functions.
Shearwater Ltd, the company behind the hotel, plans to demolish the complex and replace it with 68 flats. It was given planning approval in principle for the development in September.
Planners also gave permission for a new hotel to be built on Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, with the stipulation that it must be operational and trading before the Grand Island is demolished.
Shearwater spokesman Richard Grime said the company had every intention of carrying out the development 'in the fullness of time'.
He added: 'I'm not able to put any timescale on the development.'
Ramsey MHK Anne Craine said: 'I am clearly saddened by the closure of the Grand Island Hotel.
'It has been an important facility in our community for as long as most of us can remember and we all have happy memories of weddings, concerts, parties and dinners that we have enjoyed there.
'The Grand Island Hotel has been a difficult business to sustain and it has closed on several previous occasions during the past 40 years.
'Nowadays people require more from a hotel than its beautiful location and providing such varied facilities requires major investment.'
She added: 'There is no doubt in my mind that Ramsey needs a hotel and function room to draw visitors to the north and serve the local area.'
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Anthony Page, 32, of Douglas:
It's a shame, but if they weren't going to close it down they would need to spend some money on it.
Generally, I think hotels in the Isle of Man are quite poor compared with the UK.
It's a shame for Ramsey — they say they will build a hotel, but in a year's time it will be forgotten about.
I haven't been there, but I believe it has seen better days.
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Gill Legat, 68, of Andreas:
It's sad that the north is losing a venue like that.
The Grand Island is quite versatile normally, it stages all sorts of dos.
I've been there for lunchtime drinks, I've held my daughter's 21st party there and I've been to weddings there, so it's very sad.
It's a loss for the town, it's as though Ramsey is forgotten. Everyone's got to go to Douglas now.
I still think it should be a hotel for all those functions which are going on, not apartments. We've got plenty of apartments.
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Andrew Thomas, 50, of Ramsey:
It's likely to cost more to refurbish the hotel than to rebuild it, so it's not a reasonable request to ask a developer to refurbish it.
It would be great to encourage developers by giving them an opportunity to put some money into it.
It will be good for the town in the long term — as the second town in the Island we could do with some investment.
I've been going there for as long as I can remember — it's clearly rundown.
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Margaret Nowak, 65, of Ramsey:
I'm really disappointed because it's the only place in Ramsey where we have a function room.
I'm a member of the St Andrew's Society and we used to use it every year, now we don't have a facility like that in Ramsey.
At present we are using the Masonic Hall until we can find a better venue. But we don't want to go out of Ramsey.
I'd really like it to be developed as another hotel because it's in such a lovely place.
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Elizabeth Stanley, 17, of Ramsey:
I think it's stupid because we haven't got another hotel in Ramsey.
I was quite surprised when I found out, but I think it was always going to happen because it's a bit of a dump — it just doesn't get the business any more.
When my dad comes over he stays there and it's always been really nice. I'd like to see another hotel on the site.
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Karen Shave, 61, of Maughold:
I think it's a shame. If anything they should have made it better.
It should be redeveloped as a hotel because it's in such a good position and I think we need a good hotel in Ramsey.
I've been there twice and thought it was a bit poor, it should have been refurbished.
I've not lived here long enough to know whether it will be a loss for Ramsey.
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
Yet again another example of how Ramsey is becoming a 'forgotten town'! If it doesn't get the business, let's just 'shut it down' and forget about it! Has anyone taken a walk through Parliament Street lately? Its dark, dirty and deserted with old crumbling buildings and all developers want to do is knock up another block of apartments. NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO LIVE IN AN APARTMENT! Why isn't anybody standing up for the town folk of Ramsey and listening to what they want. We have nothing for children to do, nothing for people of all ages to do but go to the one of the 10 pubs and drink! And for a street that takes less than 5 minutes to walk down I think that pretty much sums up Ramsey! Come on MHK's! exactly what is it you stand for in a community??
LOUISE, Ramsey
I totally agree with Louise's comments about Ramsey, I am a Ramsey rate payer and resident but let's face it Ramsey is dead on its feet! Imagine if there was a new hotel built in Ramsey, what would people do when they came to our town? A friend of mine came up to Ramsey over Christmas for a drive out and a cup of tea (no where was open, she has told me that she wont waste her petrol money again). Why did they say no to the marina? Who asked for a new swimming pool with less facilities then the old pool? We spent a fortune on Quayles Hall which is hardly every used. I think we should be looking at our commissioners, to me many of them have been commissioners for years, and yes it is on a voluntary basis but come on guys, where is your imagination and drive? What Ramsey needs is businesses to return to the town so that their employees are shopping within the town on a weekly basis. When I worked in Ramsey (before I was made redundant) I shopped there and now that I work in Douglas my money stays in Douglas Let's look at Peel for example: - Community events galore, the Centenary centre fun by volunteers, great housing developments and a new marina! The place is buzzing, properties are sought after!
T
THE COMMENTS OF THE PEOLE SAYING WE WANT A GOOD HOTEL, ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO I ASKED THE RAMSEY TOWN COMMISSIONERS IF I COULD PUT IN AN APPLICATION FOR A HOTEL, CINEMA AND HEALTH SPA ON THE PEVERILL PLOT, THE ANSWER "SORRY NO DUE TO THE DIVISIONS IN THE TOWN" THAT WAS WHEN THE MARINA DEBATE WAS IN FULL SWING, NOW WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SWIMMING POOL, NOT REALLY IN KEEPING WITH THE AREA AND NOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE, BUT THAT IS MY VIEW.
PHILIP S
Sorry forgot to mention; The Grand Island has had planning for demolishing and turning into apartments for a couple of years now. So it comes as no surprise to me that the hotel has closed. The same company that owns the hotel has been encouraged to build a new hotel on the promenade, but will this happen and why should he, he is a business man not a charity and if the hotel doesn't make money then why would he want to make that investment, I certainly wouldn't!
T
Just in respect to Mr Sadds comments about his application on the Peveril Plot. This gentleman has been a long supporter of Ramsey and has always put his money where his mouth is. What a shame that the 'Divisions' of the town failed to save the community millions with the development of a new pool. Hey the rates must be gathering dust in the bank for Ramsey Town Comissioners!
T
The key to the regeneration of Ramsey is the rebuilding of the Pier.If the government can spend what will be in excess of 60 million on an airport extension so that smaller planes can land at Ronaldsway, surely money can be found for such a project.As for the condition of Parliament Street,there are too many shop units in Ramsey and conversion to private dwellings or a re-location of Government offices is in order.
ST JOHN'S ROB
I agree with all the comments here.. I work in Ramey and watch as the shops close around me.. This is ,,as has been mentioned..a dying town.. Why have more flats when there are no more jobs, nothing to do for all ages and a general feeling of being forgotten....The new swimming pool is less appealing than the old one..why on earth it had to be smaller I dont understand.. The old pool site should now be made into an all age meeting place. I have so many old age pensioners whose only time they meet someone is when they go out to buy their paper or food. Howabout a place where they can have a game of Bingo once a week at night and a couple times during the week, have a cup of tea with others etc, It could also be used as a place for dances, clubs, etc The list is endless for all ages. There should be a town meeting where ideas are put forward instead of leaving it to a bunch of penpushers who probably spend the most of their time and money in Douglas. Unfortunately the only thing here is a range of Pubs and a so called nightclub. We need to get people here and something to keep people here before its a ghost town full of drunks and druggies.
DEPRESSED, Ramsey
Please let's not talk Ramsey down – like every town centre it is facing challenges – but the Town has great things going for it: and we have some great shops, the envy of towns left only with the boring sameness of many retail areas. Yes, we need more, but the answer for those who care about Ramsey must be to spend our money here. Our new Town Hall (and library) is a fantastic resource – and community groups get excellent use from it. Our new modern swimming pool is another major investment. We have great new school buildings – designed for community use too – and they'd be the envy of towns across. The Town Commissioners have done much in recent years to improve the town environment – the hanging baskets and planters transform the Town in Spring and Summer – and the Mooragh Park is the best on the Island. Everyone can help the Town to look its best – and fight the scourge of litter which can soon make anywhere look scruffy. We just need to feel good about the place – and care passionately enough to do our bit. It is a great loss that our only hotel is closing before the replacement is built – but we all need to work hard to create reasons for people to want to stay in Ramsey – then investment should follow. The Ramsey marina project, though long in coming, should provide a great improvement to an already fantastic harbour location – a great incentive and opportunity for investment in new businesses – and extra trade for the existing ones. Regards
DAVID, Ramsey
David, I don't think any of the residents wish to 'talk Ramsey down'. I am a Ramsey girl born and bred and have chosen to live in the town all my life (bar a few years in the UK) but what we are trying to say is that with all the money being pumped into other towns around the Island ahem ahem Douglas!), Ramsey is suppose to be the second largest town on the Island and the Government seem to forget this when taking into account the voices of its community and what people want. Another fine example is the now derelict Albert Road School! What is going to happen to that? Renovate that and make it into something useful for the community. The plot of land adjacent to Albert Road - used to the old Catholic School, that has lane overgrown for over a decade! Remember the old Plaza Cinema opposite the Brit that got demolished back in the good old days, what got made of that after years of neglect? A car park! The old Arcade down the Lifeboat House – left to rot! The Peveril Plot would have been ideal for something much more useful than a new swimming pool (of which I will not go into as it's just a block of concrete with no windows!!), which beggers belief of what will become of the old pool when closed down. It seems to me that there are developers/local people with money who want to inherit their hard earned cash into rebuilding a once beaming seaside town but the powers that be seem to have a vendetta against them and anyone else with positive ideas and genuine emotion for their home town.
LOUISE, Ramsey
DAVID has some good ideas (tart up the town, get rid of the litter, etc.) but I don't think that he has addressed the root problem – where is the money coming from? Sixty years ago, Ramsey was proud of its nickname "Royal Ramsey" and those were the days when tourists used to come to stay there because there was lots to do – 2 cinemas, multi-function swimming pool/dancing complex with competitions in the Summer, shops that were up to date with their range of goods, good and clean hotels and cafés that offered reasonable food/drinks with good service......I could go on. But now there are no cinemas (people stay at home and watch "Corrie"), the new swimming pool is a dedicated concrete windowless monstrosity, the hotels and cafés, such as they are, offer food and service that is by far not the best and tourists generally stay well clear of the place. Ramsey has just not kept pace with the times which are changing increasingly rapidly. Tourists want things to do on holiday which they cannot do at home. They want to have fun in nice, smart and clean surroundings. Going on holiday to Ramsey in the vague hope that the weather will be clement enough to allow a couple of days on the beach in the sun is not an attractive thought for today's visitors. When I was at school in Ramsey, a Saturday evening's dancing in the Pool Ballroom with a live band was good fun and a great social event – that venue was also used for other functions as well (DEPRESSED's Bingo suggestion, etc.). Parliament Street needs money spending on it – lots of it – if it is to be somewhere that people will like walking along. The vast majority of shop owners need to completely reconsider what they are selling – Victorian tea-sets, low-value antiques, out-of date shoes and old clothes do not add anything to the attractiveness of the place. I am not sure about the pier – to just re-build it would not offer anything that doesn't have its roots in Victorian times and it would need a lot of imagination to make it worth visiting – fishing and skeet-shooting come to mind among other things. The hills on the way to Maughold would be ideal for an all-weather sledging run (similar to the Summer-sledging runs that they have in Austria) if we could get the Health and Safety people out of our hair and the legislation to keep them out. And above all, food outlets MUST be smartened up and staffed with people who know what potential customers want and are prepared to prepare and serve it well – that will require them to be properly trained (just getting temporary workers in from Ireland is not the answer)l. Whatever .... Ramsey needs to have money spent on it, before it will attract people who will bring their money there and spend it, to make it "shine by the sea" again. Otherwise it will remain a sad and squalid-looking dump.
PHAIDEAUX, Port Erin
What a pity! I have fond memories of staying in the Grand Island in the late 60's and even working there in the early 70's. It was a place full of characters & stories! Then it was very smart – if I remember correctly a 'Royal' actually visited the hotel for a charity function when we were there. There was a well used croquet lawn to the rear (front entrance) and we had great fun on the putting green in front of the dining room. As I sit here typing this I can even smell the fumes and hear the drone of the 2 stroke engines of the boats on the lake at Mooragh Park & can hear the sea pounding on the stoney foreshore to the front of the hotel. From memory there was also a small cabaret hall on the sea front. We even arrived on a couple of occasions to the pier in Ramsey off the ferry (cattle steamer) from Belfast. There were no roll on roll off ferries then. Cars were lifted on the boat via a rope type cradle! What a pity – time moves on and memories are sometimes all we are left with!
BRUCE, Belfast
Why is this developer set on building apartments on the site of the Grand Island? Surely it would be money well spent if the hotel was knocked down and rebuilt and maybe not just as a hotel but as a facility that can cater for all ages. Why spend money on apartments that no one will be able to afford (simply because of the view). The young people of today do not want to stay in Ramsey as there is nothing for them there so who is going to buy these apartments? If he must build apartments then he should build them down on the promenade and leave this site for a Hotel complex, one that visitors to the Island will welcome along with the beautiful views out over the sea. I am Manx born and it seems to me that the Isle of Man is slowly being taken over by foreigners and people moving over from the UK…. Where are the Manx people, why are they not supporting our Island. With regards to the new swimming pool, what a waste! My 15 yr old son went there last night and was not impressed at all, apart from the large pool was freezing there are no slides or anything just two holes of water! And to top it off he wasn't impressed that he could stand up in the deepest part of the large pool!! After looking at the Peel swimming pool you would have thought they put more effort and thought into this one. The only slide on the Island is that in the NSC, not good. Why couldn't we have a complex like the Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool, this caters for all ages and is not just a boring pool…….such a waste of money I think, there would have been plenty of room for something better. As for the businesses in Ramsey, this is fast becoming a problem. Without shops and cafes no-one will want to visit Ramsey, so where is the support from our local commissioners or the government! Get the priorities right and do something before it is too late. I feel very sorry for the young kids that are growing up and how bored they must be. The tedious trek of going into Douglas when they want to do anything and then this is also limited. How sad!! Come on you Manx people lets save this Island before it is just a retirement place with apartments!!
CC
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