What should the old Ramsey Courthouse be used for?

Ramsey Commissioners have given residents more time to put forward their suggestions for the future use of the historic building. The deadline is now Friday (May 11).

So what do members of the public think the facility should be turned into? We visited Ramsey to find out.

’The courthouse needs to be a space that everyone can use,’ said Nicola Kerr, 47, from Ramsey.

’I think they should have something like Peel Centenary where they put on performances and show some great independent films.

’There’s a place called the Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries, which has a very small cinema with a restaurant attached on the side so people could be served before or after their film. Ramsey should have something like that.’

Trish Taylor, 37, from Ramsey, said: ’I think maybe a cinema, a play area or something for teenagers to do. I’ve got teenagers so it would be good to have somewhere for them to hang out.’

Tony Howell, aged 72, from Douglas, believes that the commissioners purchasing the courthouse was a good idea.

’There’s plenty of space in there,’ he said. ’It was originally a post office.

’I do think an art gallery and cafeteria sound very good. When I look at that location, if it is done right, I think it would certainly be great for Ramsey.’

His friend, Mike Spenser, 71, from Douglas, said: ’For the courthouse, I’d copy an idea from Gloucester called the Cattle Country.

’There was all sorts of things for kids there - climbing frames, helter skelters, things that you squeeze through...’

When asked whether he joined in with his grandkids, he laughed: ’I went for anything I could get into.

’They also had a coffee shop where the adults could have a coffee while the kids go off and play. It’s also an all-weather thing and makes money. Everything in there was low maintenance, as it was lined with vinyl.

’I think it was right for the commissioners to buy it,’ he added.

Douglas resident Andrew Dillon, aged 57, said: ’It’s got to be a central hub where people can drop into.

’It could be a computer centre,’ he suggested.

’I think the commissioners were right to pick it up, otherwise it goes into private ownership and then you don’t have any control over it. Whatever they do with it, I hope it will benefit the general public and the people of Ramsey,’ he said.

Kirsty Taylor, 24, from Douglas, said: ’I haven’t been to Ramsey for ages. From memory, there’s nowhere for teens to do anything here.’

Her friend, Ciara Craig, also aged 24 from Douglas said: ’It could be a place for local events maybe?

’Or somewhere where they have indoor movie nights, which can be for families and for kids.’

Kirsty agreed: ’I went to a cinema like that in London, which was space-themed. We went to watch Fifth Element and they served us snacks while we sat in bean bags.

She added: ’I think it’s a good idea to have an open day as some people, who might want to make suggestions, may not have been in there before.’

â?¢ See page 12 for the Ramsey Courthouse open day.