The Clocktower Mall at Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda’s primary shopping precinct at the West End of the island, is to re-open fully for business for the first time in more than a year. It will reopen on Sunday.

The West End Development Corporation, landlords at Dockyard, said the mall closed last year when the island first went into lockdown due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since then, Wedco said it has been closed when required due to the pandemic and in between has opened based on regulation allowances and on stores that were allowed to and could open and operate.

It will now be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon until 6pm and on Mondays from 9am until 6pm.

Developed in the 1990s with the conversion of two historic storehouses, the mall today accommodates an eclectic group of local entrepreneurs offering a large range of products from Bermuda made and inspired goods and unique gifts originating from around the globe to fashion, home decor and perfumes to jewelry and art.

It also houses the Nannini Haagen-Daz ice cream parlour and Café Amici Ristorante.

Stephanie Rodill, marketing and events manager at Wedco, said: “After such a long period of hardship and drastic change, we are happy to safely welcome residents and visitors back to Dockyard and more specifically to the Clocktower Mall.

“With the upcoming visits from the Orion by Viking Cruises, the announcement from the CDC on the pending return of cruising from the East Coast, the reopening of our playground, the reopening of other Dockyard businesses and the increase in guests to the area, it became clear that now is the right time to reopen the Clocktower Mall.”

She added: “The mall is truly a one stop shopping and dining experience offering the comfort of nearby restrooms, hand sanitiser stations and air conditioning as the temperatures increase along with a surrounding area that specialises in experiences, art, dining, and wide-open spaces.

“When visiting the mall, our guests are also able to take advantage of all the offerings and experiences provided by the surrounding businesses – and the bonus is that everything is within walking distance.

“We understand that both residents and visitors have a choice on how they spend their free time, which is why we are beyond appreciative when they choose to spend that precious free time making memories with us in the Royal Naval Dockyard.

“We invite everyone to visit the Clocktower Mall and spend the day with us in Dockyard.”

Several outlets in the mall are to offer specials on shoppers’ return to the venue.

For example, Grand Bazaar and GB Home are offering 50 per cent off all in stock king and queen size bedspreads, hanging and table lanterns and selected decorative cushion covers, as well as 20 per cent off men’s button-down shirts. The venue also reports new arrivals of Turkish towels.

In addition, the Lisa-Anne Rego Art Gallery is offering 20 per cent off store-wide until June 30, and 30 per cent off “master touch” giclee canvases until the end of the month. It is also offering 10 per cent off original oil commissions until July 31, as well as art giveaways on Instagram @lisaregoartbermuda.

Ms Rego, the Clocktower Mall’s representative, said: “The mall reopening is a welcomed step towards 'normalcy' as each business has been severely impacted by the cruise ship suspensions.

“I won't underplay the deep pain incurred by the pandemic for many businesses geared almost entirely towards tourism in the mall, but both our reopening and the home-port cruise ship indicate better days ahead.”

Ms Rego said the situation has caused some businesses, like her own, to “reassess and pivot, which has led to positive change, innovation, and the improvement of our online platforms”.

She added: “Customer service and developing high calibre products in tandem with focused social media campaigns is the key to the future. I have really found it exciting to see locals meeting me for the first time based on my Instagram posts.

“Serving cruise ship passengers for over a decade left little time to develop my social media presence, but I realised immediately, as did many others, that it was vital to adapt quickly.

“We remain grateful for the support that both Wedco and the BEDC have provided many small businesses in the mall and we are extremely thankful to the locals and visitors that have 'chosen Bermuda' over the past year.

“Many shops will be offering amazing specials to show their appreciation. As Bermuda and the world slowly emerge from the pandemic, we look forward to increasing our local customer base and to seeing our visitors once again who treasure our island just as much as we do.

“We can't wait to share the stories behind our products, create memorable experiences and provide the best shopping experience possible. We look forward to seeing you back in the Clocktower Mall soon.”

A spokeswoman for Wedco added that other businesses in Dockyard are also open, with operating hours across the entire week.

To keep track of Dockyard business’ hours of operations, she recommended visiting www.dockyard.bm/dockyard-news/, or contacting individual businesses directly.

Visitors to Dockyard are reminded to follow all health regulations and guidelines issued by the Bermuda Government inclusive of practicing physical distancing, wearing masks properly, employing proper respiratory etiquette and washing hands often, the spokeswoman said.