Following the reopening of retail stores, we asked the public how it felt to hit the shops again.

After weeks of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of non-essential shops opened their doors again on May 18 albeit with restrictions to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

The once eerily quiet Strand Street in Douglas was then brought to life again.

’The street went from being a ghost town to becoming really busy, especially in the first weekend that retails shops opened further,’ said Weronika Kubica of Douglas.

The 21-year-old worked through the lockdown period at Holland and Barrett on Strand Street.

She said it was ’nice to see the customers not feeling so scared anymore’ when more restrictions lifted because of less Covid-19 cases being confirmed in the Manx community.

On her first experience of going into a non-essential shop, she said: ’Some people were completely ignoring the restrictions and that was hard trying to respect everyone’s decision.’

Her partner Ewan Cannan, 21, of Douglas, said: ’I only really go to town when I’m going to work at GAME, but it’s closed.’

He added: ’I’m bored stiff!’

It was a special occasion that brought Sue Noon of Douglas into town this time - to celebrate her niece’s daughter, Millie Butterworth turning 12.

The pair were hitting the clothes stores as a treat.

She said: ’Restrictions are not a problem. It’s just getting used to it as different shops have different sets of rules.

’I’ve been down here about six or seven times since. The busyness doesn’t bother me. It’s a lot better if you tend to come down later on in the afternoon.’

She enjoyed being able to see friends again when coming into town, as many of them work in retail.

Over the period of lockdown Sue has ’definitely’ relied on online shopping.

Douglas resident Pasha Stancheva, 44, said being able to come into town and shop is ’much nicer than staying at home’.

’We’ve been to New Look and other shops, but we’re really waiting for the restaurants to open. I’m tired of cooking every day.

’It’s nice to see so many people and because we have no cases I’m not very scared to be honest.’

She added: ’Douglas was like a ghost town before with nobody out, only a few on the prom. The feeling in lockdown wasn’t very nice.’

Elaine and Niall McCormick, both 63, of Douglas are happy to get out shopping again.

’It’s great having the freedom, but you still cannot browse because people are waiting outside the store,’ Niall said.

’Because the Isle of Man is free of known cases you feel you can get out and keep your distance.’

In his hand was a bag of newly-bought fishing tackle. ’I thought I would go out fishing again,’ he said.

Elaine said she hasn’t felt a huge urge to go clothes shopping just yet as she could not try clothes on.

’The only thing we miss is the grandchildren,’ she said. ’We’re allowed to go and see them in the garden. Another big thing I miss is catching up with friends.’