Douglas has been awarded city status.

It means the Isle of Man becomes the first crown dependency to win civic honours as Douglas becomes the first and only Manx city.

The capital is one of eight places to win the prestigious city status through the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours competition this year, as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The competition to win the royal honour was last run 10 years ago to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and this year was the first time in history that it has been open to applications from Crown Dependencies and overseas territories.

To apply to enter the competition, applicants were required to demonstrate how their unique communities and distinct local identity meant they deserved to be awarded city status, as well as highlighting their royal associations and cultural heritage.

Mayor of Douglas Janet Thommeny said that the council were thrilled with the news.

She said: ‘It is an honour for Douglas and everyone who lives and works here to receive this recognition and I’m sure everyone connected with the town, or should I say city, will be incredibly proud.’

Thirty-eight local authorities across the British Isles competed in the competition, with one of the council’s rivals for the honour being Peel, which missed out on this occasion, proving the cathedral requirement is long defunct.

Ms Thommeny added: ‘Our commiserations to our friends in Peel, who we hope can gain city status in the future.’

accolade

The accolade comes in the year after the Douglas Borough Council celebrated its 125th anniversary, and in the details of the bid to gain city status the council used Douglas’s royal links and urban regeneration.

The island, and specifically Douglas, boasts a wealth of royal links, with the Queen being patron of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution originating from Douglas, as well as the Lieutenant Governor of the island from 1937 to 1945 being married to Lady Rose Bowes-Lyon, sister of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen’s Mother.

The applications for city status were considered by a panel which worked with UK government ministers to make recommendations.

Winning city status can provide a boost to local communities and research shows that Perth, Scotland, which was granted city status in 2012, has reaped the full benefits with the local economy expanding by 12% in the decade it was granted the status. However, it will not provide any extra political power to the council.

Douglas will officially receive the award and status later this year, with Letters Patent, an open document issued by the monarchy, now being prepared which will confer the award formally, and the Isle of Man Government will be liaising with local authorities to plan for the presentation.

Claire Christian, MHK for Douglas South, believes the news is wonderful for Douglas and it is a great honour to receive such a prestige title from Her Majesty the Queen.

She said: ‘This gives our city a great opportunity to celebrate over the coming months, especially with the Jubilee, TT festival, Douglas Carnival and Pride.

‘Now more than ever we need to make sure that our city looks its best so it can be fully enjoyed by residents and visitors.’

lWhat do you think?

Is this good news for Douglas?