Plans present opportunity to 'bring back some of the original purpose' of building

First floor of St George's Chambers to become music education space

Former offices in the Island's capital are to be transformed into a music education and rehearsal space after plans were approved this week.

Mannin Music Limited is to take over the first floor of St George's Chambers on Hill Street.

The company is to teach music on the premises and will allow community groups and creative businesses to use the rehearsal/ practice space.

Mannin Music currently has a small rehearsal studio in Douglas and a retail and rehearsal space on Market Street in Peel. 

The new rehearsal studio will be available to be used between 10am and 10pm Monday to Friday, and between 9:30am and 4pm on the weekends, dependent on bookings. 

It will not be open to the public and will only be accessible for key holders and people attending their sessions.

Before being converted to offices, the building was used for education and entertainment purposes, as it was a Sunday school and a memorial hall with a cinema. 

In their application, Mannin Music said: "We would love the opportunity to bring back some of the original purpose of the building."

The plans were approved unanimously by the planning committee on Monday (17 August).