The boss of Isle of Man Creamery has spoken of the ’major challenges’ facing the business since the coronavirus crisis began.

Findlay Macleod, managing director of the business in Ballafletcher Farm Road, Cronkbourne addressed residents at the government’s live daily media briefing on Sunday.

He said: ’We have recruited six new drivers and we are actually looking for a further four drivers at the moment.’

Mr Macleod said: ’We have planned for various scenarios at the Creamery.

’And under all those scenarios we will still be able to supply the island with fresh Manx milk. So there is no need to panic buy.

’We have faced some major challenges as a business over the last few weeks.

’We have had an unprecedented number of calls in to the Creamery, a lot from existing customers changing their orders.

’But we have also been inundated by requests from new customers.

’Our customer base in the last two weeks has grown from about 5,800 customers to well over 7,000 customers.’

He said they have ’always been’ and continue to be open to ’vulnerable’ customers in particular. In order to meet demand, the Creamery has also started some daytime routes in addition to the usual overnight deliveries.

Mr Macleod said: ’We have made a very high level of investment over the last couple of weeks in terms of people and vehicles as well.

’We have recruited five new people in our customer service team, we have recruited six new drivers and we are actually looking for a further four drivers at the moment.

’So this is a significant investment for what is a farmer owned co-operative, to serve the Manx community.

’We see doorstep deliveries of milks and produce as a key part of people following the government advice to stay home as much as possible.’

He thanked staff at the Creamery for doing an ’amazing job’.