Bermuda’s Unesco World Heritage Site of St George is unappreciated on the island, the mayor of the Olde Towne has claimed.

Quinell Francis said: “I feel that we don’t actually value it the way that many other people around the world do.

“It’s not had the resources required to ensure that we keep it up, and maintain it, and develop it as well. It’s something that I think has gone by the wayside.”

Ms Francis was speaking at a public consultation session on the management plan for the historic area on Wednesday night.

It was the first public event hosted by the Bermuda World Heritage Site Management Committee.

The organisation said it wanted more public views as is prepared to draw up a five-year plan to cover from next year through 2025.

Ms Francis said the event was a great idea and that she was pleased by the turnout.

She added: “It takes us all to make sure that the World Heritage Centre is cherished, it’s managed correctly and that it will be there for the future generations.”

Ms Francis added that the meeting was a good place to start.

She said she wanted to see young Bermudians engaged in the process and encouraged people to attend future events.

Ms Francis added: “Everyone’s opinion matters. St George’s is where Bermuda all started.”

Kristin White, who led the meeting, said that she did not know much about the historical significance of St George’s when she moved to the East End in 2003.

She told the meeting: “I just didn’t care. It was just an affordable rent in a very nice neighbourhood.”

Ms White said that her opinion changed as she learnt more about its people and their stories. She explained: “I began to not only care, but fall in love.”

Ms White, a local businesswoman, said that she hoped more Bermudians would learn to appreciate the Olde Towne and its world status.

Cheryl Hayward-Chew, the chairwoman of the Bermuda World Heritage Site Management Committee, told the meeting: “The people of the town and the World Heritage Site are the biggest stakeholders.

“So, we need to hear from you so that we know that we are representing the World Heritage Site correctly.”

Ms Hayward-Chew said that the creation of the new draft plan for the site was an “extremely large undertaking”.

She added: “What we’re wanting to do differently this time is to really get input from the community.”

Renée Ming, the Progressive Labour Party MP for St George’s North, said that it was important that local people’s views were heard.

She added: “Collectively, there is strength in numbers. If we work together, we can have St George’s where we think it needs to be.”

Ms Ming said she was impressed by the turnout for the event, and said it showed the commitment of community members to work together.

She added: “I also think it shows that people believe that St George’s is, in actual fact, relevant and has strength in its community.”

St George’s, founded in 1612, and its nearby forts were recognised as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2000.