The long-running saga of the future of Ramsey Courthouse might be drawing to a conclusion.

The town’s commissioners have now been notified that the government has approved a deal for the local authority to take over the building.

Part of the deal is a lease for the police office that’s in the commissioners’ building.

The Department of Home Affairs will pay £80,000 for that plus £1 a year in a 25-year leasehold agreement.

Now the commissioners have to decide what they want to do with the courthouse.

There was uproar in the town when the government decided to put the building - most recently operating as a post office - up for sale.

Andy Cowie, Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners, said: ’Ramsey Commissioners are delighted to have finally received consent from the Department of Infrastructure to proceed with the formal acquisition of the Ramsey Courthouse.

’We are now able to proceed with the next phase of our strategy to determine the best use of the historic facility for benefit of the people of Ramsey and our visitors alike.

’As part of this strategy we will be looking to host an open day in the near future to allow everyone to see the facility and ask for expressions of interest from sympathetic parties with useful and productive ideas to use the facility.

’It has been a significant exercise to secure the Courthouse and we are extremely grateful for all the support from residents, MHKs, members of the public and the DHA.’

What would you like to see in the courthouse building?

A venue similar to Port Erin’s Erin Arts Centre or Peel’s Centenary Centre has been suggested by some.