The new Co-op building in Crosby seems to be getting close to completion.

But shoppers expecting to wheel their trolleys there soon will be disappointed.

Co-op area manager Andrew Corrie says UK contractors are needed to kit-out the inside, and the company won’t consider bringing people across until it’s safe to do so.

’We have completed as much of the work as we can. In fact, the entire shell has been built by local firms,’ he told Manx Radio. ’There are some specialist tasks that require UK visitors to come over.’

He said that the company would need four clear weeks with the border open before it could get the store -pictured above - open.

’That store will open four weeks after the border opens,’ he said. ’We don’t know what that date is going to be.’

Once built, the store is said to smaller than the Ramsey outlet, but twice the size of the branch in Duke Street in Douglas.

It will have more than 30 parking spaces, which Mr Corrie should cater for peak demand. A van-operated home delivery service will be launched from the shop.

Customers will also be able to order their provisions online and then collect it from the premises.

’We are confident that everything is set up to have a smooth shopping experience and have minimal impact on the local community,’ he said.