The chairman of Port Erin Commissioners believes the future of the Cosy Nook will take centre stage at this year’s local authority general election in April.

Members had voted to demolish the cafe before central government stepped in.

As yesterday’s Manx Independent reported, a three-week island-wide public consultation has now been launched to decide whether the building - plus a former pub in Douglas and Kirk Michael’s pub - should receive registered status.

Commissioners chairman Godfrey Egee said: ’I think it’s OK to go out for consultation to the whole Isle of Man because many people come to Port Erin and enjoy the beach and facilities, from all over the island.

’Likewise, people from Port Erin often go to different locations around the island - enjoy Peel, enjoy Douglas, Ramsey, Laxey, Port St Mary, wherever.

’I think it’s a fair thing that the whole island can have input on such an important issue as Cosy Nook, one of the last-standing historical buildings from an iconic perspective, really - for photographs et cetera and what people are used to down there.’

When asked whether he thought there was any chance the situation surrounding the Cosy Nook would be resolved by the end of the [political] term, Mr Egee replied: ’No, I would not think so at all.

’I think it will become an issue because there will be people standing [in the election] sharing their views on the Cosy Nook.

’We can’t really resolve anything at the moment until a decision comes back on whether it’s a protected building or it isn’t.

’So we cannot move forward, plus it would help once we know which way we are going if it is rejected or not rejected.

’But in an election, I would very much assume people will come forward with the Cosy Nook as what they’re standing for, which is a disappointment in some ways, as it overshadows a lot of the good things that have been done and other important things that need to be resolved - maybe the impact of properties, as people struggle to get on the first-time buyers’ list because there’s been a shortage of properties as they’re bought by investors, and the impact on mental health from Covid-19, long-term.

’It concerns me that a lot of [the election] will be about the Cosy Nook only.’

In 2020, Port Erin Commissioners voted to demolish the former cafe and wanted to replace it with a new, Art Deco-style building.

A Building Preservation Notice was issued in December, which provided temporary protection.

The notice itself means that an assessment and initial investigations have found it reasonable to consider the proposal further.

Rushen Heritage Trust opposed the demolition.

RHT director Hugh Davison said: ’It is a priority to bring this important site back to productive use both for visitors, the local community, and for commissioners’ revenue.’