Last Autumn, the AFD Group acquired the 12-acre Island Studios complex in Lezayre, just outside the Ramsey boundary, and this week was granted Planning Approval for the Site’s development for Technology and Media Businesses and Community uses.
The AFD Group already includes several technology and media businesses, which will move to the Lezayre site. AFD Software Ltd is one of Britain’s leading providers of “Postcode Software”- in fact all Postcode data provided by the UK’s Royal Mail passes through AFD’s Ramsey Offices as part of their distribution contract FOR Royal Mail: so whenever you type a postcode into a website and up pops your address, AFD has been involved.
AFD are also owners of the “Friends and Heroes” TV Animation Series – which is marketed across the world in multiple languages – including the “world’s first” animation in the Manx Language version of Series 1.
AFD have other significant investments in bio-technology, media and other technology businesses, and already employ 35 Isle of Man staff.
“The Lezayre site has been languishing in recent years, with changes in the Isle of Man’s film industry, but it is uniquely placed to provide a world-class IT and Media village”, said AFD’s Managing Director, David Dorricott., “With electricity feeds from two separate circuits, and a generator able to keep the site going for a week without grid power, it is really resilient. Add that to no less than 5 different ways of connecting to ultra-fast broadband and it is difficult to think of a better place to grow technology–dependent businesses.
It is our hope to breathe new life into the site – and to provide opportunities for other developing businesses to share not only the world-class infrastructure, but access to advice, support and mentoring, especially for innovative start-ups and expanding firms. This has to be great news for employment in the area – and for young people to have lots of exciting opportunities in a vibrant, innovative hub.”
Fellow director, Alison Dorricott adds “It is such a beautiful place – with views of Sky Hill and the Mountain. It would be a shame not to be able to share the site with the wider community.”
“We’re already working on an extensive landscaping plan for the site – and already several hundred trees have been planted – whilst renovation and improvement works to the buildings, and especially the roads are being undertaken.”
