Another Hamilton business has closed its doors, and its owner is citing lack of business as the reason behind the decision to shut up shop.

William Cardwell, owner of Dollar Savers at - 91 Front Street - said he has been running the business for ten years. He said the majority of his business was from tourists, with the shop selling souvenirs, drinks, snacks and other convenience items. The shop also had a take-out ice cream counter.

Speaking with The Royal Gazette on Friday, Mr. Cardwell said: "This is it. I am closing my doors... As other retailers have said, business is just not there."

In closing, Mr. Cardwell said he had had to lay off two staff.

Earlier this year, Mr. Cardwell filed an application with the Development Applications Board (DAB), with the intention of closing the retail operation and moving in to the food business. The application called for approval to create a sandwich restaurant, with open-air dining on the site of Dollar Savers. Mr. Cardwell also filed to run the venture under the name of Culinary Concepts Limited.

On Friday, Mr. Cardwell said he was no longer looking at turning the space in to a restaurant. He did indicate however that another party was looking at that possibility, adding: "I have disassociated myself with that project. And I am getting out of business altogether," he said.

Speaking of a downturn in business, Mr. Cardwell said: "Once the last cruise ship left in October, it was like someone switched off the light; business is gone."

Mr. Cardwell concluded: "It has never been as bad as this." When asked if he did not think he could make it through to next year's tourist season, he said: "I definitely could not manage through to the Spring.

"I tell people it is like going through the jungle with a machete. Branches keep getting thicker, and you hack away. But, when you get through the jungle, you find a cliff. I am on the edge of the cliff. It is scary," he said.

The announcement that Dollar Savers is closing its doors follows several other Hamilton business closures in recent weeks, including the Scottish Wool Shop, Smugglers Reef, Meyer Travel's Washington Mall office and the Harbourmaster's Reid Street branch.