A Facebook post about the closure of the Cosy Nook in Port Erin next May has prompted an outpouring of public comment.

Phil Maltby, leaseholder of the local authority owned building since 2004, wrote a current commissioner ’said, and I quote, he wanted to see us out of the cafe on the day our lease expires and not a day later (which is May 2019).

’I was a little taken aback. Is it not about time the local authority made public what their intentions are for this iconic piece of Port Erin.’

Many questioned why work at the popular beach side cafe must start at the beginning of the season next year. Why not extend the lease until the end of the summer?

One wrote the immediate area - with St Catherine’s Terrace and the lighthouse - should be made a conservation area ’to prevent clumsy "regeneration" projects which is what this is likely to be. The full details of the commissioners’ plans should be made public.’

Mr Maltby’s comment prompted the authority to issue a statement, which said: ’During Port Erin Commissioners’ monthly inspection ... on May 4, the tenant asked for a discussion with commissioner Marc Morley who attended the inspection ... (he) confirmed that the lease for the premises expires on May 11, 2019 and at that point, as is usual under the terms of a lease, Port Erin Commissioners will wish to take back the property to undertake significant works.’

Mr Morley also said Mr Maltby could apply for a new lease after the works are completed.

News of the cafe’s closure and the termination of the current lease in May 2019 became public last year when Mr Maltby did not open for the 2017 season in April.

He said a structural engineer recommended areas of the building were not used for safety reasons.

The authority carried out some maintenance work and the cafe opened in May 2017.

In response to a Freedom of Information request for more details behind the decision, the authority said investigations are being made into demolishing, rebuilding or renovating the property to make it suitable for year round use.

They added had agreement been reached and the property been vacated earlier this work could have started sooner and not at the start of the season.

The scale and type of works, details of any changes and the duration of the works has not yet been ascertained.

Commissioners’ chairman Nick Watterson said: ’The tenant wishes to see out the term of their tenancy agreement to May 11, 2019, and as such there are currently no firm plans in place for the Cosy Nook Café other than the board’s full commitment to ensure that the Café remains in place for future generations.’