Thread by @amorningboat

I’ve always loved Villiers Square, the gulls, the poor lighting and the faulty water features.

On an unrelated note, here’s some barren land in Denmark which has been transformed with shipping container shops and cafes. #isleofman

@AndrewBentleyC1 @drwatsonsa @Amadeus_IOM I seek this. Supporting small and startup businesses by providing, low rent, low rates space in the town centre would be - chef’s kiss.

I wouldn’t consider this a permanent solution to Villiers but things like this have been employed successfully around the world. They support small businesses who cannot afford associated costs of actual letting, allowing them to build a biz before committing to big rent.

If land is available they’re relatively inexpensive to set up but obviously would require some facilitation / utilities / fit out of each shop (if it’s food) and would probably face some kickback from commercial property owners and people who enjoy looking at derelict land.

But they also serve as a driver for town centres (we really shouldn’t be putting in in Jurby), getting more people in will benefit the high street more broadly (but will take some customers from other places).

Weather is one issue but we can look to how other places deal with it, I assume some tenting / indoor space would be the way to go. I’m just an ideas boat.

Also spaces like these really allow for new and exciting ideas to be trialled. I’m a real fan of third wave coffee but just imagine if a Malaysian pop up set up - no more weak ass laksa for me boios.