Increased competition has meant that the gloves are off in the island’s retail sector and it’s good news for shoppers this weekend.

With the first of the new stores opening in the Strand Centre this weekend, one local retailer is hitting back with a series of offers.

The Strand Centre has been bought by Sports Direct and work is currently being carried out there before it fully re-opens..

But the first of its shops, Flannels, which is owned by Sports Direct, opens its doors at the Douglas shopping centre today (Friday).

Matthew McSevney, marketing and project manager at Tynwald Mills, said: ’We are already used to competition from online retailers and our response to that was to set up our loyalty card.

’Until Sunday, we have extra offers for our "Reward" card holders. These offers are also open to anyone who doesn’t yet have a Reward card coming into any of our stores and signing up.’

Matthew added: ’We feel that, especially for families out to enjoy a day out and a spot of shopping, Tynwald Mills is in a unique position, in a beautiful location with plenty of parking and with a large mix of departments and brands.’

On Saturday there will also be free pizza from the Black Dog wood-fired pizza van and free small tubs ice cream for loyalty card holders plus entertainment and face painting for children.