Business leaders trading on an Isle of Man’s high streets have come together to publicly back a Peel Town Commissioner and call for greater communication, transparency and support from the local authority.

A group of traders on Michael Street has issued a strongly worded statement in support of Commissioner Katryna Baptist while also raising broader concerns about how Peel Town Commissioners engage with local businesses.

The move marks the latest development in an increasingly public dispute that has gripped the west of the island in recent weeks and seemingly highlights growing frustration within the town’s business community.

In a joint statement, the traders set out their position, both in backing Mrs Baptist and in expressing concerns about the way the authority currently operates.

They said: ‘As a collective of Michael Street traders, we feel it is important to publicly express our support for Mrs Katryna Baptist.

‘Based on our own experiences, we have had no reason to question her integrity or her position, and we do not believe her removal reflects the views of many within the trading community.

‘We would also like to highlight ongoing concerns around communication and support from the Town Hall. While Mrs Baptist has been approachable and willing to listen to traders, there appears to be a lack of support at a higher level, meaning issues raised are often not progressed or resolved.’

Peel Town Commissioners has been approached for comment.

The group went on to describe what they say is a pattern of frustration when attempting to engage with the authority on matters affecting their businesses.

‘This lack of clarity, communication and follow-through continues to cause frustration for traders when trying to engage with the Town Hall,’ the statement added.

‘As traders who are deeply invested in the future of our high street, we believe that open dialogue, transparency and accountability at all levels are essential.

‘We remain committed to working positively and collaboratively, but this requires clear communication and effective support structures.

‘We hope this can be the starting point for a more constructive and inclusive approach moving forward.’

Business representatives have said they are set to deliver a signed copy of the statement to the Town Hall.

The statement comes the backdrop of longstanding concerns about the future of Michael Street, once considered the beating heart of Peel.

Despite the town’s population growth in recent years, many traders have previously argued that the high street has faced a steady decline, with boarded-up premises and reduced footfall becoming an increasingly familiar sight.

Business owners have repeatedly pointed to a combination of factors, including changing shopping habits, the rise of online retail, parking concerns and what they see as a lack of coordinated support or vision for the street.

However, some traders have also voiced frustration at what they perceive as poor communication from the local authority.

The traders’ comments come amid an ongoing and highly publicised dispute within Peel Town Commissioners itself.

Mrs Baptist, who was elected in April 2025, recently published a video raising concerns about governance within the authority.

In it, she claimed that official minutes were ‘often repeatedly inaccurate’, with some matters ‘recorded inaccurately’ or ‘missing entirely’ and argued that limited opportunities to correct records affect what information is ultimately made available to the public.

Peel Town Commissioners responded robustly, rejecting her claims outright and stating they were ‘inaccurate and do not reflect the views of the Board’.

The authority also criticised her decision to raise concerns publicly, stating that social media was not the appropriate forum for such matters.

At a meeting on March 19, the board unanimously voted to remove Mrs Baptist from several roles, including her position on the event lead member committee and as youth representative, citing ‘continual inappropriate disruptive behaviour’.

But that dispute has not been confined to the town hall.

Former Peel MHK and long-serving commissioner Hazel Hannan has also publicly backed Mrs Baptist, suggesting the issues raised point to wider systemic problems.

Mrs Hannan said she had experienced similar challenges during her time within the authority, particularly in relation to minutes, actions and support from leadership.

She went further in her criticism, stating: ‘local authorities are not fit for purpose.’

She also questioned the effectiveness of any internal investigation, suggesting that a more independent review would be required to address underlying concerns.

Seemingly, the flashpoint for the rift at the Commissioners was a dispute over plans to allow a stage to be erected on Peel beach.

Mannin Music Shop, based on Market Street, had unveiled plans to host live music events on a stage this summer pending receiving necessary funding, licences and permissions from the Town Hall.

The matter was discussed by Commissioners during a meeting in February and in her video published online, Mrs Baptist claimed a vote of ‘six in favour [of the beach stage], one against’ had taken place.

However, she claims that the vote was not reflected in the meeting’s official minutes and was later told that no such vote had occurred - a situation she described as ‘a big set up’ which results in ‘me, my fellow commissioners and the media being accused of lying’.

Mrs Baptist’s account of the meeting has been backed by Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper and Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall, who both attended the same meeting and have stated that a vote did take place, twice.

But in a statement, Peel Town Commissioners said that while there was an indication of preliminary support for the idea of a temporary summer events stage on Peel beach, ‘the board did not formally vote on a firm proposal’ or agree to commit £10,000 of public funds.

It added that, as a result, the proposal ‘could not form the basis of a vote and a formal decision’ and was instead deferred for consideration alongside a wider events strategy.

The authority also stressed that had a formal resolution been passed, it would have been clearly recorded in the official minutes, including details of the proposer, seconder and voting split.

Peel Town Commissioners has launched an internal investigation into Mrs Baptist’s online comments.