Mr Martin was speaking to journalists yesterday morning after a canvass of Douglas Village Shopping Centre.

Despite being Ireland’s second oldest shopping centre, agents say the property is like brand new after being completely refurbished following a fire in 2019.

AN AUDIT of empty retail spaces in Douglas has been carried out as traders at Douglas Village Shopping centre were told it will be at least 10 months before they can move back in following a devastating fire.

Organisers of the Douglas Farmers Market cancel the event due to issues relating to the fire at the Shopping Centre last weekend.

FRUSTRATED traders at Douglas Village Shopping Centre received “no real answers” to their predicament at a meeting with City Hall officials and some shop owners have confirmed they’ve already begun to lay off staff.