A former pub at one of the most iconic corners of the Isle of Man TT course has been branded an ‘embarrassment’ to the island despite the property remaining a ‘strategic asset’ of the Isle of Man Government.
The former Quarterbridge Public House, once an Okell’s Inns venue, has remained closed since the Covid-19 lockdown and has become increasingly overgrown and tired-looking.
Its prominent position at the Quarterbridge junction means it is passed by thousands of residents and visitors, while the surrounding area becomes particularly busy during the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT.
Race fans continued to gather around Quarterbridge during this year’s events to watch competitors approach at speed along Quarterbridge Road before braking heavily for the junction and heading towards Braddan Bridge.
However, the state of the former pub was again noticed by visitors, with some questioning online why a prominent site on one of the island’s busiest road junctions remains unused.
The concerns come at a time when the Isle of Man is expecting further international attention, with a Hollywood film centred around the TT potentially bringing even more visitors and global exposure to the island.
Frank Schunegel, a former Douglas councillor and digital content creator, recently shared a video expressing concerns about the upkeep of areas around the TT grandstand, namely the scoreboard and lack of footbridge on Glencrutchery Road.
He also criticised the condition of the former Quarterbridge pub.
He said: ‘The pub, owned by the government has been rotting away and empty for how many years now? Prime location, right on the TT course.
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‘Thousands of fans here. We could at least put a pop-up concept or something in there to keep it open during racing.
‘No, they’d rather just let it rot because hey, it’s not their money; it’s taxpayers’ money. So you know, why care?’
Isle of Man Today asked the Government what plans were in place for the property and whether anything would be done to improve its appearance.
A Government spokesperson said the building remained an important asset.
‘The former Quarter Bridge Public House remains a strategic asset of the Isle of Man Government,’ they said.
‘Work is planned to improve the condition of the property.
‘Once that work is complete, expressions of interest will be invited from parties who may want to enter into a commercial lease for the premises.’
The Government purchased the property in 2007 as part of longer-term plans for the Quarterbridge area.
The future of the site was discussed by Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall at a Tynwald committee meeting in May, when he said previously considered redevelopment plans had been revisited.
Mr Crookall said there had been ‘a thought of having a bigger scheme down there’ which would have involved removing the pub, adding that this was why the Government had originally bought it.
‘Those thoughts and that are still out there, and they get discussed every now and again,’ he said earlier this year.
For now, however, the former pub remains empty at a location seen by thousands of people during the island’s biggest motorsport events.