Residents and business owners in the Arbory, Castletown and Malew constituency are raising several key issues ahead of voting, with particular focus on the decline of retail activity in Castletown’s historic center.
Shop closures have become increasingly prevalent, leaving many storefronts vacant along streets like Malew Street. Local business operators attribute the decline to reduced foot traffic, as residents increasingly bypass the town center in favor of shopping elsewhere. A tearoom owner noted that limited retail options have made it difficult to attract both regular customers and visiting tourists who arrive by coach, further impacting the viability of independent businesses in the area.
Parking availability has emerged as a significant contributing factor to the town’s struggles. Business owners point to repeated parking restrictions imposed by local commissioners as having discouraged visitors and shoppers. Accessibility concerns are particularly acute for the aging population prevalent in the region, as well as for coach tour passengers. Calls have been made for a comprehensive town planning strategy rather than incremental changes, with emphasis on improving overall accessibility and parking infrastructure.
Economic pressures are affecting residents across multiple demographics. The rising cost of living has created challenges for business owners and working families alike, with wage growth failing to keep pace with inflation in essential expenses. Pensioners on fixed incomes report that utility costs and rent leave minimal resources for other spending. Government policies regarding taxation of benefits have also drawn criticism from residents who feel they bear an inequitable tax burden.
Other concerns cited include the age and condition of the existing secondary school, with calls for a replacement facility to serve the area. Despite widespread concerns about change, a first-time voter expressed optimism about the local electoral system, noting that individual votes carry meaningful weight in Isle of Man elections, unlike in previous electoral jurisdictions.
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