The team behind the failed takeover of Ramsey Post Office wants to secure the future of the old courthouse building.
Nigel Malpass has created the 'Friends of Ramsey Courthouse' and is applying for charitable status for the group.
He said another bidder for the Post Office contract would want to relocate to more appropriate premises than a 1798 building with a surplus of empty space, adding: 'A month ago and having seen the problems involved in coming to an agreement I commenced looking for a plan B. I believe at present there are around 500 residents in the North who would want to join.
'A small annual fee of say ?10 has been suggested which would give us working funds to run the administration side. All of the 25 member of the RCL (Ramsey Courthouse Limited) team have indicated their willingness to be part of the "Friends".'
He believes that if Ramsey Commissioners purchased the building from the government then the Friends could manage it. And he says negotiations have already started to see whether some government services could be provided from the courthouse.
Captain Malpass said: 'However and for me I remember 4 years ago 674 people identified the Courthouse as being the heart of Ramsey so it would be to a community hub the Friends would direct their attention.
'Like the Phoenix we can all rise from the ashes to actually achieve something even more beneficial.'
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