Shoppers are happy to be back and staff are absolutely delighted to be on the shopfloor again.

So says Lesley O’Neill, operations director at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, which has reopened its doors.

Scotswoman Mrs O’Neill, who has worked for the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group - whose founder and chief executive is the businessman Philip Day - for more than 30 years, is over the moon that the historic venue is back in business, writes Duncan Foulkes.

Mrs O’Neill, whose husband Billy also works at Tynwald Mills, said everything had been running smoothly since the go-ahead was given for non-essential shops to open again last week.

She said: ’We have received some great feedback from customers and they have thanked us for creating such a safe shopping environment.

’The company has spent a lot of time and effort preparing for the big return more than two months after having to close because of the coronavirus crisis.’

Trading hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and midday to 5pm on Sundays.

A one-way system has been put in place, there is social distancing, staff wear face masks and there is plenty of hand sanitiser available for them to conduct their work safely. In addition, a manned information desk greets visitors at the front door to provide any help and advice needed.

Most of the units are now open although the barbers has had to remain closed for the time being.

The Neb Cafe is providing a takeaway service for visitors to enjoy in the outside courtyard.

Mrs O’Neill told the Manx Independent it was heartening to see the 80,000 sq ft complex come back to life.

’It is so open and spacious and people are telling us they are enjoying their shopping experience,’ she said.

Since opening up again around 30% of the staff have returned to their duties and the plan is for a gradual return for everyone as time goes on.

Over the last decade, the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group has grown from a high street shopping chain to one of the fastest-growing retail and fashion groups in the British Isles.

On a personal level Mrs O’Neill said she has fallen in love with the Isle of Man since arriving in the island after the group’s acquisition, as first revealed exclusively by Isle of Man Newspapers last autumn.

She lives in a cottage on the Tynwald Mills site and she is a confirmed dog lover, being the owner of nine golden retrievers.

Retail giant Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which has its international headquarters in Carlisle, pledged to invest in the site at St John’s ’immediately’ and ’create new jobs over the long term’.

The group told Business News last autumn: ’As a company, we have a passion for heritage, and we are very proud to be the custodians of such a historic building on the island.

’We will be investing in the destination site to ensure that it is as good as it can be, providing new opportunities for everyone to shop and eat out.’