The regeneration of Douglas town centre and working in partnership were key themes of the Mayor’s annual business lunch held in the Council Chamber of Douglas Town Hall.

In his welcome address, the Mayor, Councillor Michael Gelling, stressed the importance of the private and public sectors working together and sharing information on regeneration plans.

He said: ‘Businesses based in Douglas need to be aware of what the Council and the Government are doing and the Council and the Government should be confident enough in their plans to know that the businesspeople, as well as residents, will support them.’

In his speech, Council leader David Christian expanded on the importance of creating a regenerated Douglas that would make a significant contribution to improving business confidence, boost trading performance, attract inward investment and encourage greater numbers of visitors.

He explained ‘Destination Douglas’ had been chosen as the theme for the town’s regeneration strategy because Douglas’s destiny was linked to its becoming a destination in its own right, one with a unique identity reflecting the capital’s urban and maritime influences.

Councillor Christian stressed the importance of developing ‘a clearly defined Douglas brand’ and stimulating a renewed sense of civic pride, and he urged the people of Douglas, businesses and residents alike, not to ‘talk Douglas down’ but to promote wherever and whenever the positive benefits Douglas and the Isle of Man had to offer.

In his concluding remarks, Councillor Christian said the regeneration of Douglas was ‘inextricably linked’ to civic pride. ‘Everyone must work in partnership to foster an unshakeable sense of civic pride so that together we can develop a community response to achieving a cleaner, greener and safer Douglas, a regenerated and revitalised town that is a symbol of confidence and worthy of the title Capital of the Isle of Man.’