Retailer wants to create 'flagship project' on garage site

Planning permission sought to develop Airport Garage in Ballasalla

Plans have been submitted to transform a garage site in Ballasalla into a ‘flagship project’ for an Island retailer.

Mannin Retail wants to redevelop The Airport Garage, on Douglas Road, saying it’s constantly looking to ‘diversify’ its offerings.

It’s applied for permission to expand the site and create two new retail units, and two light industrial units, and relocate the existing forecourt pumps.

If successful the expanded SPAR store will be joined by other facilities including a deli, with small sit-in area, a butcher and a post office collection point.

A larger selection of fresh and Manx produce would be offered and the new retail units could be used by other ‘community focussed small businesses’.

Forecourt services would also be expanded to include a car wash, jet wash and air and valeting services; electric charging points would also be included.

In its application Mannin Retail says the Airport Garage SPAR is one of the busiest on Island with trade expected to ‘rise considerably’ due to new housing developments nearby.

It adds the project could create up to 40 jobs and an additional 30 in the construction industry.

Mannin Retail, the retail element of Heron and Brearley, has operated the filling station and shop for the last 30 years; the offices and workshop areas currently in situ are separately tenanted.

The owners of the site are said to be fully supportive of the proposals and a legal agreement is in place that would allow Mannin Retail to be the primary tenant of the whole site for the next 25 years.

The application is currently pending consideration – you can find it HERE.