The Barn thrift store in Devonshire has reopened for the first time since it closed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.And it has a bright new space that has been constructed on the site of its former electrical goods section.It had long been planned that the electrical goods section would be demolished and a new building take its place. The old section closed last September, and was demolished in December.The plan was to construct the new, larger building on the same site and have everything finished by July, but the coronavirus health crisis brought everything to a temporary halt.Construction of the new section resumed in May, and it was completed and fitted out in time to welcome the public back this week. The Barn’s main building has also been spruced up during the long closure, and is open again.Jane Wright, assistant manager at The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda, played a key role in overseeing the building project. She said: “Considering we did this in the middle of a pandemic, it was flawless. It was a pleasure to work with Mike Tatem, of Crisson Construction.”The new section has maintained a warehouse-feel, and there is a lot more room than before to display items that have been donated for sale.Funds raised by The Barn help support King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.Ms Wright said: “The Barn is quite important for the fundraising for the hospital. This is the busiest retail outlet for the Auxiliary.“It’s important for the community, because it is going back to the community for the hospital.”Grace Petty, one of the assistant managers at The Barn, commenting on the new electrical good section, said: “We love it, and we think the public will be very happy with the results. It was hard work and a real team effort moving all the stuff.”The Barn is following the health guidelines regarding maximum number of people allowed in the thrift store at any one time, the need to wear face masks, and to use hand sanitisers when entering.The Barn is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm, and donations are accepted on those days from 9am to 11am.Other companies involved in the construction of the new section at The Barn, included Efficiency, First Class Electric, SAL, A1 Fencing, ICS and West End Contractors, H&H Plumbing, Fast Services, and AC Management Environmental Vision.