Port Erin Commissioners is moving to regain control of the Reayrt Vradda glamping site on Ballafesson Road following the liquidation of the company that had operated it.
The local authority plans to apply to the court for possession of the unfinished 10-acre site after Reayrt Vradda Limited went into voluntary liquidation earlier this year.
The glamping development, which began in 2021 under a lease agreement with the Commissioners, closed during the Isle of Man TT practice week.
The company’s director, John Lovelady, confirmed the decision to cease trading after determining that it did not have sufficient funds to continue operations.
Craig Mitchell of CKM Consultants was appointed liquidator. He said in August that three parties had expressed interest in acquiring the business as a going concern, but described it as “unfortunate” that the local authority had decided against supporting a sale process.
Commissioners clerk Jason Roberts said the authority’s lawyers have been instructed to begin proceedings to recover the site from the liquidator. “The process of going to court would likely take a few months,” he told Isle of Man Today.
Until the court process is complete, the lease remains with the liquidator, preventing the authority from taking direct action.
The Commissioners also intend to serve eviction notices to individuals currently residing on the property in motorhomes and campervans, as the planning consent for the site limits stays to no longer than 28 days.
The Reayrt Vradda project was intended to include eight glamping pods, eight bell tents, and a hardstanding area for up to 21 campervans and caravans.
While parts of the development were completed, much of the planned infrastructure remains unfinished. The local authority is listed as a creditor and is owed less than £10,000 in unpaid rent.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, the situation underscores the financial and regulatory challenges that can accompany new glamping developments.
Projects of this scale often depend on securing adequate capital, meeting planning requirements, and maintaining strong partnerships with local authorities to ensure long-term viability.