Clothes shops and other non-essential stores in the island are eagerly awaiting the green light for when they will be able to re-open.

That’s the message from Andy Corrie, who is the Chamber of Commerce’s retail spokesman.

He spoke as a question mark hangs over whether fashion chain Peacocks might once again re-establish its presence in the island’s capital.

It comes after it emerged that Steve Simpson, one of Peacocks’ ex-bosses, was buying the collapsed shops group with backing from an international consortium.

He hopes to reopen stores once non-essential retailers are allowed out of lockdown.

And Mr Simpson is reported to be holding on to 200 of the collapsed chain’s 423 stores, and around 2,000 of its 4,369 staff.

But as we went to press yesterday (Wednesday) it was unclear whether Peacocks in the Strand Centre, Douglas, would figure in the new plans.

A spokesman for the chain’s administrators at FRP, was able only to tell the Manx Independent: ’We don’t have a breakdown of stores impacted at this time. I understand this is still under negotiation.’

A Peacocks offshoot at Shoprite in Douglas closed some months ago.

Andy Corrie said: ’Times are very difficult indeed for the clothing retail industry in general which makes it all the more important for the people of the Isle of Man to rally round and support our local independent clothing retailers across the island. They provide excellent customer service.’

Mr Corrie stressed non-essential shops were looking forward to being allowed to open again. He said: ’The industry is ready, willing and able to be open as soon as it is safe to do so and are prepared to implement any appropriate safety measures.’