A facility for the reuse of unwanted items at a landfill in the north of the Isle of Man has been closed “for the foreseeable future,” its operators confirmed.

The recycling hall at the Northern Civic Amenity Site was closed “with immediate effect” because it was “not being used for its intended purpose”.

The facility’s board of directors said people were staying in the area longer than recommended and visiting it multiple times a day, creating a “bottleneck.”

Chief Executive Karl Brew said it had become “increasingly difficult” for staff to monitor the area, so given the “current staffing situation and uncertainty, it was advisable to close at this time”.

He added that the reuse hall “really needs to be rethought to get the most out of it.”

A shared facility used by local authority residents in Andreas, Ballaugh, Lezayre, the Maughold Ward of Garff, Jurby and Ramsey – and until recently Bride – took over management of the site from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) in 2017.

After the Bride Commissioners withdrew from contributing to the running costs of the facility, the site, operated by the Northern Local Authority, decided to terminate its lease with the Department of Infrastructure and has shortened its opening hours.

The statement thanked members of the public for their patience “while we attempt to navigate the issues we are currently facing” and said an update on the site’s opening days would be provided shortly.