News

Laxey Promenade Shelter – Statement and Images 16.11.22

The Commissioners have continued to work on the detail of their plans for improvements and refurbishments to the Public Shelter on Laxey Promenade in recent months As a matter of courtesy, the Board have recently met with the tenant and Manager of the kiosk to brief them on the plans. Consequently, the Board are now in a position to make these details available to the public (please see the first image which illustrates these plans).

The Commissioners’ auditors had requested that the Commissioners take steps to clarify the status of the Public Shelter. This was partly to clarify insurance liability but was also to make clear that the shelter was a space that could be entered freely into and enjoyed by all at any time.
The tenant of the kiosk has been offered the option of a licence to make use of the area immediately in front of the kiosk entrance (indicated by the green line in the second image). The land they wish to license to the tenant has a total area of 21 square metres.
It is worth noting that there has never been any lease issued to any party to use the Public Shelter space. There was, however, an informal statement made by Laxey Commissioners in 2008 in response to a question from the tenant. This stated that customers of the kiosk could consume refreshments purchased from the kiosk in the Public Shelter. The Commissioners continue to have no objection to customers of the kiosk making full use of the public facility. This is an aspect that the Board welcomes and encourages.

   

It should also be noted that it is the responsibility of the Board to proceed in a way that assures the public that their decisions have not been influenced by any bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest that may arise.

Summary of works being undertaken
1. The Commissioners will be installing furniture throughout the Public Shelter, and on the three metre wide apron in front of the building. The tables and seating will be installed, and available at all times during the year; including when the kiosk is closed. The tables will include spaces to provide wheelchair access. They will be painted in a colour that will be determined in due course. These proposals are illustrated in the image.
2. As can be seen a concrete ramp will be installed to make access possible for everybody. The railings will be coloured to assist those with sight impairments. The railings to be installed are DDA compliant. The design of the ramp shown here is indicative and another configuration may be installed to provide the necessary access to the public facility.
3. Six small stacking lockers will be installed as shown in the third image. These will take up minimal floor space (65cm wide x 46cm deep).
4. As the illustration shows, barriers will be installed to mark out the frontage of the public shelter and demarcate the tabled area immediately behind. These will be in the same style and finish as the ramp railings.
5. The Public Shelter will be painted throughout as part of the refurbishments and a Wi-Fi access point will be provided. Other improvements will be made including new information signage which will be installed for the benefit of visitors to Laxey and Garff as well as forming an information point which will be used to promote local businesses.
6. The Commissioners’ cleaning contractor has been engaged to regularly clean the Public Shelter. In addition, the tenant may wish to continue cleaning the tables if they feel that this is in the commercial interest of the business – the Commissioners have no objection to this being undertaken.
7. Following on from the success of recent events with Manx Wildlife Trust, a programme of themed events will be scheduled into the Spring and Summer season of 2023. These will use the Public Shelter as a base for the activities. Full details of this programme will be announced in due course.
It is anticipated that the Public Shelter will be partially closed for short periods whilst the accessibility ramp is under construction and while the other planned works take place. The Commissioners will programme all the works to fit in with the kiosk’s winter opening schedule. This will minimise disruption to the business, its customers, and to other members of the Public who wish to access the Public Shelter.

16th November 2022 in Community

Love Laxey, Love Garff!

Beach Buddies are teaming up with the Commissioners to launch a new initiative to improve the tidiness of neighbourhoods in Laxey, Lonan, and Maughold: and the more local residents we can get involved the better!

To start things off Beach Buddies and the Commissioners are joining a local meeting at 10.00am on Sunday 14th August at the Laxey Sailing Club, arranged by local resident Robbie, to listen to your ideas for cheering up some of those locations in need of a bit more Tender Loving Care.

You can’t help but notice that there are some areas that are tired and untidy and with your help a real difference can be made. You could take ownership to help improve and maintain a local area, help pull weeds from the road side, pick up litter or have a general tidy of the Glens, the beaches, the parks. We all live in the local community lets create spaces for others to enjoy; look at the great example set by Susan and Ken Crellin at Quarry Falls in Laxey and those who’ve adopted tram stops and so on. Why not step forward and take part in creating more welcoming clean spaces for visitors and for ourselves as a Community!

Beach Buddies and the Commissioners would like to encourage and support more of these inspiring actions across the Villages and open areas of Garff. Bill Dale will be on hand at the meeting to offer expert knowledge, advice, and the support of his organisation to the initiative.

So what are the Commissioners doing? Our Maintenance Team is small, but we’ve recently increased the maintenance budget to employ an additional part-time contractor to assist our directly employed (and wonderful) maintenance duo. Our focus is on increasing the amount of tidying of public spaces such as pavements, verges, and other public areas; but Garff is a massive area (from Ballure to Groudle) and the addition of some community projects and collaboration would really assist to make the Sheading look better: there’s more to be done!

Please come along to the public meeting on 14th August 2022 @ 10am at Laxey Sailing Club and find out how you and your family can get involved.

3rd August 2022 in Uncategorised

Laxey Promenade Public Shelter Statement 18.07.22

The Commissioners would like to issue an initial statement on their plans for the future use of the Laxey Promenade Public Shelter –  Seating and Table Facilities will always be provided in the Laxey Promenade Public Shelter.

The factual position is that the Public Shelter has always been in the ownership and control of Garff Commissioners. The Commissioners have always intended to have tables and chairs in this public facility, now and in the future. This will continue to enable the general public to consume food and drink, including all patrons of the adjacent Laxey Beach Kiosk.

The Board wish to advise that they will also be enhancing the current facilities within the Shelter over the coming months.

It should be noted that all customers of the adjacent kiosk takeaway will be absolutely welcome to use the public facilities to consume food and drink items inside the building; along with all Members of the Public.

The Commissioners have not fully finalised their plans at this stage but extensive, appropriate and comfortable seating/tables will be placed in the Public Shelter.

This will enable all Members of the Public, including customers of the adjacent kiosk to make free and full use of the Public Shelter to sit and consume food/drinks as they have always done.

A further statement will be issued once the plans have been finalised.

The Commissioners remain committed to providing facilities which primarily benefit the public but also bring benefits to local businesses.

18th July 2022 in Uncategorised

Great Laxey Brass Band Festival Going Ahead – Make the most of a dry afternoon!

This morning’s forecast is for the rain to clear by mid-day so we are expecting to get The Great Laxey Brass Band Festival underway at 1.00pm in all three venues in the Upper Village (the Mines Tavern, The Glen Pavilion, and The Miner’s Statue).
Should the rain linger a little the event will still commence at 1.00pm using inside venues at The Laxey WMI, The Glen Pavilion, and Christ Church (beside the Tram Station). The event will then ‘venture-out’ as the weather improves.
Marshals will be circulating the Village to pass on information about any changes.
We’ll be in touch with Ronaldsway at 11.00am and make an announcement; as they will be able to predict much more accurately then. The announcement will be made on FB Sites ‘Visit Laxey, Visit Garff’, Garff Commissioners’, Laxey Central, & on Garff Commissioners Twitter page.
The situation may be a dynamic one but we and the wonderful bands will react to any situation and make sure the Show Goes On!
If it is wet Cookies and Candy, the Children’s Entertainer will give shows downstairs in the Laxey Working Men’s Institute at 2.00pm and 3.00pm; if dry the shows will be in the Tram Station as planned.
At this stage, however, we should have the dry weather in before 1.00pm. Cross those fingers now!
May be an image of text that says "bbc.co.uk/weather/3042217 to cookies Camac Home News WEATHER Enter town, Weather UK postcode Laxey Add settings Sounds Locations More Today Q SearchBBC 13° Light rain and moderate breeze Tue 2nd 13° 9° Wed 4th 0900 1000 1100 9° 13° 14° 10° 1400 1500 13° 9° 8th Mon 9th 1800 1900 11° 9° 2000 12° 10° 12° 2300 12° 12° 0000 Mon 77% 11° 11° https://www.bbc.co.k/bitsize 3% todayat07:30 07:53"
1st May 2022 in Uncategorised