Taxpayers pick up 'balance' for work done to Sefton Hotel

DoI says costs can't be 'separately identified'

Government says it cannot put a price on work done to The Sefton Hotel as part of the Douglas Promenade redevelopment.

The Department of Infrastructure has confirmed it's undertaken a number of jobs as part of work to develop the 'cultural area'.

This includes:

·         Ramped access to the main entrance (replacing an existing ramp)
·         A raised area in front of Sir Norman’s Bar which leads from the ramp
·         Two sets of steps to the building – one to the main entrance and one to the bar
·         A replacement staircase to the basement – used as a fire escape
·         Replacement balustrade railings to the front boundary wall and new ramp/raised area

The DoI says the hotel has made a 'financial contribution' to the work but taxpayers have picked up the balance.

In a statement to Manx Radio the Department of Infrastructure said:

"The Department has not undertaken any additional work to the Sefton Hotel that wasn’t accounted for or necessary as part of the works to develop the Cultural Area as a piece of Public Open Space.

"Any costs are included in the contractor's tender submission and cannot be separately identified."