Funeral Directors Supporting Statement

Northern Undertakings Ltd t/a

Corkhill & Callow

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

4 Christian Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man. IM8 1DG

Tel: (01624) 813114 (24 Hrs) email: [email protected]

11th September 2018

To whom it may concern re: 3 & 5 Waterloo Road, Ramsey. Supporting letter for planning application for change of use from retail shop to Funeral Directors.

Having recently taken ownership of Corkhill and Callow, I strive to make improvements in this business to make it a more appropriate place for staff, customers and members of the public who happens to visit. Our existing property is only rented and not owned by us. The rent is excessive and therefore a burden, and our lease is up in two years. I feel that it is a sensible and logical idea to seek to purchase our own property, immediately improving the finances of the company, and increasing the company value at the same time.

We have out-grown the property we currently use, and the facilities are far from ideal for both staff and customers in the modern world. We do not have a kitchen facility, only a kettle and toaster in the office. There is a toilet which is only accessible through our cold store where we keep the bodies of the deceased prior to their funerals. This is a health and safety concern and obviously we cannot allow members of the public to use this. We have no heating or hot water, only portable heaters. These points alone are good enough reason for me to seek to relocate.

Further to this, our yard is clearly visible to members of the public passing by on the public highway and it is not pleasant for them if they see us moving a coffin or stretcher from our cold store to our chapel of rest, which requires us going outside. This needs to be done regardless of the weather, another reason why conditions could be improved for the staff.

Although we have a yard off the main highway, it is not large enough to fit the hearse, two limousines and private mourners vehicles, so we often have no choice other than to cause an obstruction to other road users in the town. This, together with the traffic going to the co-op car park, delivery vehicles stopping to make their deliveries, people using the cash machine, parking briefly whilst they nip into parliament street can cause traffic mayhem. I feel it would ease the situation if we moved away from the area.

I would like the business to remain in the town, where we provide a service to the people of Ramsey and the surrounding area. I have looked at many properties over the past few months, with these previously mentioned points in mind. I feel that if we purchase numbers 3 & 5 Waterloo Road, this would be a suitable location for us to move to. It is close to a bus stop, near the town centre, opposite a public car park, and offers both private parking and discretion at the rear. I could provide the staff with the type of facilities they should expect in the 21st century, and facilities which our clients could easily access too.

Directors: T R Pressley, E D Pressley, S L Collister Registered in the Isle of Man No. 114680

Due to the nature of our business, the vast majority of our clients pre arrange an appointment to come in to discuss their wishes or arrangements. When they do so we could advise them that private parking is available at the rear, ensuring that nobody parks on the double yellow lines outside the front door. Similarly, the rear yard would provide a place where we can load the hearse and the funeral processions could leave from the public car park at the rear. This yard will also give us somewhere to wash our vehicles, out of the public eye.

I feel that this property on Waterloo Road ticks all of the boxes to meet our requirements, and could provide the people of Ramsey with a much better facility than they currently have. Furthermore, this property has been unoccupied for some time, and is starting to look a bit tired. If we are granted permission for this change of use, we will obviously be tidying it up and improving the appearance of the street on a major route through Ramsey.

If there are any points regarding this application that you would wish to discuss with me, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Yours sincerely

Tim Pressley Managing Director