World Cup boosted business, tackled loneliness

Scores of people gathered to watch the semi-final at big screens last night (15 July)

While England may not have given their fans the result they wanted, it was a good night for the Island's hospitality sector.

A Castletown commissioner says the big screen in the ancient capital's square has 'boosted' footfall in the town throughout the World Cup.

Carol Quine is the chair of the leisure committee and says she's never seen the square so full ahead of last night's live screening of the England versus Argentina semi-final. 

Families gathered from as early as 4.30pm and supported local eateries as they waited for kick-off.

She says not only has the football brought the community together, but also tackled loneliness.

"People who live on their own had the opportunity to watch something that big as a group rather than sitting at home on their own."

Carol was speaking live on Manx Radio Breakfast this morning:

Activity in the City

Co-owner of Kiki Lounge Drew Fleming said the screening of the game on Douglas' North Quay not only provided a mid-week boost for businesses but also proved what can be done in the space. 

He said: "It was pretty intense and we were setting up from about 4pm and there were people arriving even then to try and get a table, either with us or with the pub next door.

'You could really feel the energy even hours and hours out from kick-off, and that just kind of tended to continue. Every time I looked towards the end of the quay, there was just more and more England shirts arriving and arriving'

Praising the brewery for organising the screenings, Drew said businesses need to take advantage of opportunities like the World Cup to boost mid-week trade and hopes the area can become a major part of the capital's offering. 

He added: "I think one of the big things for us, and I think for the British, is we kind of want to grow that calendar of events on the North Quay because it's such a beautiful space in Douglas, in a town that doesn't really have a natural town centre, so to speak.

"We want to kind of increase the gravity of the North Quay and make that kind of like the place to be."

Drew added that if the area was fully pedestrianised it could lead to more investment from businesses and allow it to host more events, music gigs and family orientated events. 

He spoke to Sian and Chris this morning: 

(Picture credit: Kiki Lounge)