The boss of a hair and beauty salon in Douglas is frustrated that the prom works are still unfinished.

Marco Leonetti, owner of Utopia in both Castlemona Colonnade on Central Promenade and Walpole Avenue, is disappointed with the outcome so far of the regeneration works on Douglas Promenade.

Mr Leonetti told the Manx Independent: ’It’s just mind-boggling. The promenade work started about five years ago, when there were beautiful posters displayed in the Sea Terminal and quite frankly it looks nothing, and is not going to look anything like the images which were published. What a waste of taxpayers’ money.

’Secondly, they are continually digging up holes and resurfacing and so on. It was two years ago last week that they started work outside the Castle Mona - 150 yards of tarmac that they dug up four times. They’re continuing further down in front of hotels that are currently closed, but what’s the point?

’Surely, completing works in front of businesses that are currently open has got to be a priority?’

Mr Leonetti added that the Department for Infrastructure should reassign workers at locations such as the Quarterbridge in Douglas, to speed up the process of completing the prom works.

’Why on Earth are they starting works on the Quarterbridge Road when there’s no TT for another year and a half? Surely, focussing all of their resources on the prom to get it finished should be prioritised.’

Speaking before the latest lockdown, Mr Leonetti said that he will close the Walpole Avenue salon this month due to the impact that the prom works and pandemic has had on his business.

He said: ’The effect that it’s had on us, coupled with Covid-19, means we’re having to restructure. As strong a business as we have - I’ve been running a business for 42 years - I’ve been through four recessions and I understand how I will have to navigate through the [recession] that’s pending as we will get one hell of a recession. I’m not being Doctor Doom, I’m being a realist.

’We’re closing Walpole Avenue and bringing our staff from there back to Castlemona because I can’t fit everyone into Walpole Avenue. If I could, I’d close this salon down as I can’t honestly see the prom works being finished for the next 18 months.’

The salon owner, who has lived on the island since 1962, said that the planning of the regeneration works on the promenade is badly managed.

He said: ’It’s disjointed and badly managed.

’I can only speak for myself and other business owners on the promenade but why close the whole prom when overtopping is only going to affect north ends of the bay and Loch Prom?

’Summer Hill and The Arches could be used as access roads. We have lost four afternoons of work [recently] due to the prom being closed. Government need to focus all the energy on getting the promenade finished.

’Elderly customers can’t access the Castlemona Colonnade because of the fencing,’ he added.

Mr Leonetti said that his business is down by 49% from 2020, due to people avoiding the promenade.

’We’re two years on from the works and it still looks like Beirut,’ he said.

’This is also a shout-out for the other businesses struggling on the prom and Strand Street. It baffles me.’