If you need batteries, bulbs or screws for those jobs around the house it will be ’business as usual’ says the manager of a hardware store which has closed because of tougher restrictions.

Kevin Skitt, shop manager at Quine’s in Port Erin has drawn up a plan with his staff to supply customers without them having to step through the doors of the shop in the village.

He told the Manx Independent: ’We won’t let our customers down if they fall short of those little essentials.

’As far as we are concerned we won’t be allowing the public into the building, however our staff will still be taking in deliveries and we will be able to take phone, email and Facebook messenger orders from customers.

’We can take distance payments and then either leave the order out the front for people to collect or we can deliver.

’Essentially, for want of a better word, it will be business as usual, that’s as usual at it can be in these times.’

Asked if he feels his products are essential he said: ’It’s a strange one really with a lot of our products.

’The vast majority of our products are essential when you need them. With things such as light bulbs and batteries, plumbing fittings and even a box of screws, at a certain time in our life they are completely essential.’

Debbie Perry, co-owner of Felton’s hardware store in Parliament Street, Ramsey, said the shop was preparing a click and collect service much in the same way as they had operated during last year’s first lockdown last year.

Miss Perry said: ’People will ring up and we will be able to do non-contact deliveries. We know the protocols.’

She added: ’It’s quite quiet at the moment because of the weather.’ The shop prides itself on being ’the north’s favourite emporium for everything DIY and so much more. From paint to potting compost, window cleaner to wood stoves, you will find it here.’

A spokesman for B&Q on Spring Valley Industrial Estate said: ’In line with the Isle of Man Government’s guidelines, B&Q Isle Of Man will be closed to customers for in store browsing and purchasing for two weeks until 7am, Thursday, January 28.

’Customers can continue to use our Click and Collect service, by ordering on diy.com for collection from the store, as well as for home delivery. Online kitchen, bathroom and bedroom planning appointments are also still available at diy.com. Customer and colleague safety remains our priority. We urge customers to follow the Isle of Man Government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only for what is necessary.’