Traders in Port Erin would like more support from the local authority and the authority wants more communication from the traders.
This emerged at last week’s commissioners’ meeting, when the authority’s representative on the traders’ association, Barbara Guy, talked about the latest association meeting.
Chairman Ged Power asked: ‘How comfortable are they with support from this office?’
‘They could do with a bit more,’ she replied. ‘It’s them and us, there could be more of a combined effort. A lot is not about getting people into the shops. A lot have the good of the village at heart – how we can bring people in. Maybe [the office] could have a little bit more input.’
‘We would like to hear some feedback,’ said Mr Power. ‘They should share their plans with the community.’
Mrs Guy said: ‘They are getting a proper website together, They are making a break away from it being just traders to it being people with no business interest, but the interests of the village.’
Clerk Jason Roberts pointed out the authority is restricted in giving funding and practical help.
Mrs Guy said: ‘It’s not finding, it’s more things like “could we borrow barriers quickly?” It’s getting events together.’
Mr Power said: ‘I would like to see more what they are about, to see them engage with the community.’