Ramsey Commissioners will be making an announcement about how the town’s courthouse is to be used soon, its clerk said.

Discussions are currently taking place between the town commissioners, which acquired the historic building in 2017, and interested persons.

’We’re in discussions with an interested party, but the long-term use for the building is still to be ironed out,’ the commissioners’ clerk, Peter Whiteway, said.

’At the present time the details are to be finalised as yet. As soon as we are in a position to we’ll be happy to [make an announcement].’

Expressions of interest from organisations and companies were sought for the future use of the registered building - that was once a police station and post office - in spring last year with the deadline being in May.

The commissioners stated that they were ’keen that the courthouse should remain a key part of the town centre and provide some benefit to the community as well as being financially sustainable’.

Just ahead of the closing date an open day was held for the public to view the building’s interior. The event attracted about 200 people to the landmark site.

At the time, Ramsey Commissioners’ chairman Andy Cowie announced that they had already received ’a number of well-considered proposals’.

He added on the day: ’This landmark historical building, which has captured the hearts and minds of the people of Ramsey, is now "ours" and we are looking forward to seeing it resume its central community role in our town.’

When the government put Ramsey Courthouse on the market for £475,000 in 2017, there were demonstrations outside the building.

Ramsey Commissioners agreed terms with the Department of Home Affairs to acquire the building.

In return for the transfer of the freehold title of the courthouse and grounds, which includes the site of the war memorial and gardens, the authority granted the department a 25-year lease on the existing police office at Ramsey Town Hall at a nominal rent and to make an extra payment of £80,000.

A ’meet and greet’ session is being held at the courthouse on Saturday (January 19) giving residents a chance to speak with their commissioners.

The clerk said the event will provide a ’good opportunity’ for people to raise any issues, discuss policy decisions and issues regarding the town.

Anyone interested in entering public politics can talk with existing commissioners and ask them about their role ahead of the 2020 local authority election.

’We’ve chosen the courthouse because it’s a central facility in the town,’ he added.