’We must be the culinary capital of the Isle of Man,’ Ramsey Commissioners’ chairman Andy Cowie said, responding to the large number of food outlets in the town.

Colleague Billy Hankin told members that a recent walk around the town centre revealed no fewer than 35 cafes and coffee shops.

The board was considering a planning application by Conrod Ltd for the conversion of the former Corlett’s Opticians on the ground floor of Kermode House, 74 Parliament Street, to a hot food and drink establishment serving light refreshments, including a take-away.

’It’s nice to see businesses coming into town, but I’d like us to be mindful of what kind of businesses they are’, said Mr Hankin. ’There are 11 food outlets around the Courthouse alone.

’We’re getting overrun. We need Ramsey to be a town where you can buy a shirt and tie, not just pizzas and kebabs!’

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Alby Oldham said that he would rather see a food outlet than an empty shop.

Eric Corkish pointed out: ’It’s not up to us to stop them opening. If it doesn’t work then it will close.’

It was decided to ask for further information regarding opening hours before deciding whether or not to support the application.