Ramsey Commissioners’ chairman has visited businesses in the area of Parliament Street ahead of the demolition of Auldyn House.

Andy Cowie made the trip to the town’s main shopping street with part of it closed to vehicles since the beginning of May with the building unsafe.

Mr Cowie said: ’The numerous retail premises in this area are very much open for business and I was delighted to be able to visit some of these recently to talk with some of the owners, their staff and customers.

’We continue to work with the building owner and their contractor to ensure that the closure remains in place only for as long as is absolutely necessary,’ he said.

The demolition of Auldyn House required a section of Parliament Street to close to vehicles.

Pedestrian access is being maintained at all times.

The chairman added: ’The retailers we met were very positive about the current level of interest and hoping to recover some of the impact of the Covid lockdowns.’

This section of Parliament Street is home to a wide range of businesses which include the post office, dog groomers, a bank, a health and beauty salon and many more.

Mr Cowie praised the ’broad range of independent retail’ in Ramsey.