Ramsey Courthouse is up for sale.

Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey told the House of Keys today that historic building had been put on the market that morning, at a price of £475,000.

He said as Minister he had a responsibility to the taxpayer to ensure that the government got the best price it could for the property.

The courthouse is on the market with estate agents Chrystals, who says it’s a ’unique opportunity to acquire a piece of Ramsey’s history’.

Mr Malarkey told MHKs there had been at least two expressions of interest and he was hopeful that a decision on a sale could be reached within the next two to three weeks.

But LibVan Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper said: ’Does the Minister agree that the key factor in the disposal or otherwise of this building should be the value the building has to the community and not simply the commercial value and the bottom line to the department?’

The Minister replied: ’Maybe if I were a member of Ramsey Commissioners I could agree with that, but I represent the taxpayers of the Isle of Man.

’I do realise that Ramsey ratepayers are also taxpayers but my job, as far I see it, is to get what I think is the best value for money for a property that the government of the Isle of Man owns.’

He said he wanted to ’move this along quite quickly’ and said he had given a commitment to Ramsey commissioners that he would talk to them before any decision is made.

Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker asked the Minister to confirm that the only criterion he is weighing up in his decision is getting the maximum price for the asset.

’The asset of the Isle of Man which was founded by the community and has been invested by the people of the north of the island is for sale purely to the highest bidder, whatever their purpose, whatever their interest, and whatever the knock-on implications to the fabric of the community of the north of the island?’ he said.

Mr Malarkey replied that Treasury ’will have the final word’.

Hundreds of people responded to a consultation by Ramsey Commissioners on the courthouse’s future use. The local authority has said it would seek to buy the courthouse if it is sold.

Former chief minister and Ramsey MHK Allan Bell has said it should be turned into an arts or arts and heritage centre.

The building was the subject of protests in 2015 when it was announced that the Crown post office based in courthouse was to close, with a branch moving into the Spar shop on Parliament Street.