In Seasonal

The Isle of Man is spoilt for choice when it comes to independent businesses. These businesses have often grown into well-established favourites for locals, with many being family-run and passed down through generations, and others founded by families looking to build something of their own. With Christmas being a time to spend with family, why not take this time to support those businesses that are proud to be family-managed this Christmas.

Below is just a few of the family ran businesses that you can support this festive season.

Cycle360

Cycle360 was the brain child of husband and wife Mark and Sacha Horsthuis. A combination of Mark and Sacha’s passion and love for coffee, cycling and fitness allowed them to venture into a business that would bring a new culture to the Isle of Man.

Inspiration for the concept was drawn from London, Austin, Minneapolis and Brooklyn. Mark’s idea of setting-up a café and bike shop on the Isle of Man quickly gained family backing to bring the concept to life. From there, Cycle 360 set-up its first pop-up shop out of a storage unit and went from strength-to-strength. Now selling a range of products and hosting a range of events, including their up and coming Cycle 360 Ski pop-up evenings over the Christmas period.

Photo credit: Cycle 360 Facebook Page

Now found in the Isle of Man Business Park, just outside of Douglas, the purpose-built 5,000sqft building sits proudly as the new home of Cycle 360. For the past three years, the Cycle 360 team have welcomed tourists ad attracted some of the most reputable cycling and fitness brands in the industry.

To view and read more about Cycle 360’s story and what they offer click here. You can also follow them on Facebook here.

The Boatyard

The Mowat family are at the heart of the beautiful quayside based restaurant, The Boatyard. Founded in 2013, The Boatyard is a family owned by Joan, Robin and Laura. Boasting beautiful views of Peel harbour, the family commits itself to using locally sourced produce from the surrounding seas in their kitchen. Fresh seafood straight off the boat and local meat from the Island’s finest butchers is prepared daily by the head chef.

The restaurant is the perfect location for a cosy and intimate Christmas meal, with their ‘Christmas at the Boatyard’ lunch an evening menu set to start on the 1st December. Christmas parties as well as set menu meals on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are also available at the restaurant over the festive period.

Photo Credit: The Boatyard Facebook page

For further details, visit their website here.  To stay up to date with The Boatyard’s Christmas themed events and menu follow their Facebook page here.  

Robinsons

Originally established in the 1880s as a small market stall at Douglas’ Fairy Ground Market, within a short space of time the Robinson family grew the business to two shops, one in Nelson Street and one in Strand Street. Now, Robinsons is one of the Isle of Man’s oldest family businesses, and is currently managed by the family’s fifth generation.

At the heart of the family business, is a commitment and passion to supporting the Isle of Man’s growers and producers; the Robinson’s Ballapaddag distribution centre supply over 5,000 different product lines to over 80% of businesses, schools, hospital and caterers over the Island!

Supplying for every season, the business will be selling Christmas trees at their very own Christmas Tree Park, based on Cooil Road opening this Friday (26th) and offer a range of luxury festive gifts and gourmet hampers brimming with local produce and artisan goods – which can be delivered both on and off the Island.

Photo Credit: Robinson’s Facebook Page

See more of what Robinson’s are up to this Christmas here.

The Abbey & The Forge

During the heavy snow of 2013, owners Artan & Sarah Xhumrri invested in an old Manx farm that became their now beloved ‘The Forge’ restaurant. With an enforced closure due to the heavy snow, Artan and Sarah had the chance to strip back their property and leave it there to create the smoke house that it is today. By using and restoring original fittings, The Forge has become an open plan smoke house and grill that offers a ‘unique and independent environment where quality and authenticity is at the heart of everything’ they do.

Photo Credit: The Forge Facebook

Artan and Sarah also have a sister restaurant ‘The Abbey’, situated in a history-rich building and area (the restaurant sits adjacent to the historic Rushen Abbey). The Abbey offers a menu that changes daily, where you can enjoy seasonal produce in the tradition of modern European cooking.

To find out more about The Forge click here and for The Abbey click here.

Riley's Garden Centre

Previously known as JR Riley LTD on Quines Corner until 2004, JR Riley expanded the business and launched Riley’s Garden Centre in March 2005 on Cooil Road, Douglas.

Established for 139 years and now in the hands of the family’s fifth generation, Riley’s Garden Centre continues to offer quality garden, home and lifestyle products and a café providing a range of homemade and locally sourced meals. Offering a range of Christmas décor and supporting Cross Roads Isle of Man with their Santa’s Grotto, Riley’s really do know how to get into the Christmas spirit!

Photo Credit: Riley’s Website

See more of what Riley’s has to offer this festive period here.

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