’I have been advised a positive announcement is imminent on the redevelopment of the Lord Street bus station site.’

With those words, David Christian, leader of Douglas Council has set imaginations racing.

Although he wouldn’t detail what these plans are or who is behind them, he revealed that he expected an announcement ’in a week or so time’.

He said: ’It will kickstart redevelopment and regeneration of Lower Douglas.’

Mr Christian outlined other areas that could be redeveloped including the former police station also on Lord Street.

The old bus station was demolished in 2002 and since then the site has been used as a car park.

There have been plans brought forward in the intervening years, though none have ever came to fruition.