Douglas Development Partnership has appointed a new town centre manager, Michelle O’Malley.
Development manager Chris Pycroft said: ‘This role is crucial in the Partnership’s continuing work to make sure the town centre is re-invented, re-energised and revitalised as the role of town centres evolves to deliver an experience that goes beyond the retail. The past two years has seen the capital edging towards a new sense of vibrancy – theatre almost – in the town centre with street performers, food and craft fairs and a whole range of other attractions that have introduced colour, sights and sounds…and brought a good few surprises as well.
‘Michelle is highly motivated and enthusiastic. She’s also a skilled communicator, which is especially important as a significant part of the work of a town centre manager is engaging with and inspiring local retailers, traders, businesses and many other organisations to work with the Partnership on a whole raft of projects. Against this background I am delighted to welcome her to the unpredictable world of the town centre manager for Douglas.’
Former St Ninian’s High School student Miss O’Malley joins the Partnership from The Children’s Centre where she was fundraising manager. She lives in Douglas and is a keen netballer, playing for Thompson Travel. Of her new role she said: 'I am really looking forward to the opportunity to make a huge difference in my home town and bringing some great events and initiatives to our town centre'.
Leader of Douglas Borough Council Councillor David Christian said: ‘As the Partnership’s lead body the Council is driving the scheme to regenerate Douglas town centre. But as I have said on previous occasions physical regeneration is only one element of that scheme. Cultural and social regeneration are equally important if we are to revitalise the town centre, see it reclaim its position at the heart of the local community and become “Destination Douglas”. While retail is a critical component, for a town centre to survive and flourish it has to be a vibrant, creative community-focused space. In this the role of town centre manager is key.
‘The economic downturn presents daunting challenges. The Council looks forward to working with Michelle to turn those challenges into opportunities and create a brighter future for Douglas town centre.’
Newly appointed Douglas town centre manager Michelle O’Malley says she is looking for forward to ‘making a difference’ in her home town. Picture Andrew Barton.
