The Manx National Heritage kiosk at the Sea Terminal is unlikely to reopen from the end of March.

In Tynwald this week, Douglas East MHK Clare Barber asked Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly for the results of a formal review of the kiosk.

Mr Skelly said the kiosk was placed at the Sea Terminal in order to trial an enhanced presence for MNH at the Sea Terminal. This coincided with changes in opening times at the Welcome Centre.

During last year, MNH reduced the opening hours of the kiosk to cover peak periods only and it was then closed after the Festival of Motorcycling.

Mr Skelly said the current licence with the Department of Infrastructure for the kiosk ends on March 31 this year and is unlikely to be renewed.

He said a review of the first year trial of the operation at the Sea Terminal highlighted that retail sales were stronger than expected butï?·different product lines were needed at different times and for different customers.

Admission and ticket sales were below expectations, Mr Skelly revealed.

Andï?·cruise ships passengers were not engaged as much as expected as they did not generally enter or

leave via the Sea Terminal.

Managing operation of the kiosk on a temporary basis had taken up higher than expected resources, in particular to ensure staff availability, the review found.

Mr Skelly said the indirect benefits of promoting MNH and providing a positive visitor experience were significant but at a net cost of about £15,000 (including the full cost of staff, VAT, cost of sales and commission to suppliers) this was not sustainable.

Mrs Barber had asked the Minister to publish in full the outcome of the formal review but Mr Skelly said there was no single review document.