Isle of Man TT's 2022 return a welcome boost for Manx businesses

Martin Brunnschweiler said the event was a 'huge' part of annual turnover

The return of the Isle of Man TT has brought a much need financial boost after the disruption caused by Covid, Manx hospitality firms have said.

An influx of thousands of visiting fans across the two-week road racing festival has seen local businesses benefit from increased trade.

Martin Brunnschweiler of Bushy's Brewery said the event's cancellation for two years had been a "huge blow".

It has been "wonderful" to see the "massive" event return, he added.

Ferry bookings from before the festival began on 29 May showed more than 30,000 people were expected to arrive.

Andrew Clague has been offering expanded camping facilities during the TT

In 2019 more than 46,000 people travelled to the island with the total spend across the fortnight at about £37.5m.

Andrew Clague of the Manx Fun Farm campsite in Onchan said he had found the first week of the 2022 event "busier than ever", with many repeat customers returning after the disruption caused by Covid.

The two years we missed was a loss as the festival made a "big difference" by helping with the reinvestment in facilities, he added.

Michael George said the TT brought lasting financial benefits

Douglas hotelier Michael George said the TT had a "huge impact financially", which helped his business for the rest of the year.

The Welbeck Hotel was one of the firms to receive Covid support payments from the government, which Mr George said "enabled us to get ready for this TT and the future".

"It is hard work but it is exciting," he added.

Wine merchant JJ Moore said wholesale trade increases during the TT

Owner of the Wine Cellar on Peel Road, JJ Moore, said the last three years had been "challenging in every aspect of business", but the return of TT had been "such a big thing".

His firm has been supplying the hotels, restaurants and clubs, which had benefiting from "a real positive buzz around the island", he added.