No. 1 Market Square, Castletown. Image credit: Google Earth.

Castletown Square, 1852. A delicate watercolour of Castletown Square with No. 1 Market Square and Castle Rushen in the background, and the market with local people in the foreground.

Manx National Heritage unveils plans to refurbish No. 1 Market Square, Castletown

Manx National Heritage has submitted plans to refurbish No. 1 Market Square in Castletown, creating an exciting new addition to the visitor and tourism offering in the Island’s ancient capital.

The proposed development includes a welcoming retail space and a visitor admissions hub on the ground floor, with modern office accommodation on the upper level.

The first phase of the project will focus on the ground floor, creating a vibrant welcome hub where visitors can access information and purchase admission tickets for all Manx National Heritage sites. This space will also feature a retail area, enhancing the shopping experience for those exploring Castletown. During quieter months, the space will be used for small-scale events, including workshops showcasing local artisan producers whose goods are sold across MNH sites.

The second phase will see the upper floor providing self-contained office space for approximately 8–10 people, contributing to the local economy and encouraging secondary spend in the town centre.  Both phases of this project are being funded independently of the financial grant received from the Treasury.

Connie Lovel, Chief Executive said ‘we are delighted to bring forward plans that will breathe new life into this important building in the heart of Castletown. Our vision is to create a welcoming space to showcase the significance of the Island’s heritage and to enhance the visitor experience while supporting the local community and economy. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting the Island’s heritage while adapting to meet the needs of today’s audiences and how visitors access information’.

Pauline Wall, Head of Operations added ‘with a prime retail presence in the heart of Castletown, we aim to attract new visitors, reinvigorate public engagement with Manx National Heritage’s charitable mission and extend our offering in keeping with the Market Square’s already vibrant atmosphere’.

The refurbishment will preserve the building’s historic character while delivering a valuable new facility for both residents and visitors. Once complete, the revitalised building will serve as a proud gateway to Castletown and a celebration of the Isle of Man’s rich culture and heritage.

Subject to planning approval, work is expected to begin later this year, with further updates to be shared as progress continues.

Additional Information

No.1 Market Square is built upon the site of the south-west tower on the Castle glacis.  In 1805, a proposal was made to demolish the then ruinous tower, which the Isle of Man’s Board of Ordnance agreed was no longer no longer necessary for defence and a new Market building was to be erected by public subscription in its place. The subscription was not forthcoming, and in 1824 William Kelly of Castletown was still owed £6 out of the cost of £26 incurred in demolishing the tower ten years previously.  The extant building was designed by architect Thomas Brine in 1829 and eventually constructed in 1829-31, with a market on the ground floor and newspaper reading room (later Custom House) above.

By the 1880s the lower floor was reported as being used as a butcher’s shop, however by about 1889 it had become the Manx Bank.  The Manx Bank was founded on 2 September 1882, merged with Merchantile Bank of Lancashire in December 1900 and then in 1928 became part of Martins Bank before merger with Barclays in 1969.

In 1920 a 99-year lease of the former Market Hall was taken up by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank which was later assigned to Martins Bank in 1928.  At some point in the mid-20^th century the upper room housed the Athol (or Atholl) Club, a social club which included snooker tables, newspapers and magazines.

In 1984 it was placed on the Protected Buildings Register by the Local Government Board and in 1989 it was transferred as part of the Castle Rushen title to the Manx Museum and National Trust by DHPP (Department of Highways Ports and Properties).