Douglas Council leader David Christian says delays in re-developing the Lord Street bus station site are dragging the town down.

Earlier this year, Treasury Minister Allan Bell said the appearance of many areas of the capital was scoring against attempts to bring in new businesses, and Mr Christian agrees.

He told Manx Radio:

"The whole face of Douglas has been changing during the past few years.

"The promenade, where we had gaping big holes, has been filled in and is starting to look really good. It's the shop window to the Island.

"The quayside is looking fantastic, but all around Walpole Avenue and the bus station site is of a pretty low standard.

"I think it's unfortunate we've had so many false starts in relation to schemes down there, over a long number of years. I think we all hoped last year when the major scheme for the bus station was rolled out, and the possible relocation of the Hilton hotel and casino on the Walpole site, that things were finally going to happen.

"There's still a lot to be talked about, but I think people are now getting to the stage where they are fed up of the talking, and they want to see action.

"It's the one area that is dragging this town down, and it's one of the first areas people see when they come in through the sea port."

(Picture: The Lord Street bus station site, from Douglas Head).