they join the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce "Harbour Nights'' venture, which features live entertainment and street stalls.

The chamber's St. George's spokesperson Miss Alison Outerbridge said the Old Town's merchants had reacted enthusiastically to the summer late-night shopping experiment. But efforts were still being made to get more stores to take part.

She called the venture a "warm-up'' for next season when St. George's will finally have its own cruise ship in port.

Meanwhile, the success of the first Harbour Nights in Hamilton led to a change of mind by the only Front Street department store that was not taking part.

HA&E Smith's reconsidered its stance partly because of better parking arrangements and because hotels became involved.

It has now joined some 30 other city stores staying open until 9 p.m. and later.

President Mr. Roger Davidson said last Wednesday had been "reasonably successful'' and the store would continue to stay open late for Harbour Nights.

Explaining the change-of-mind, the store's vice president Mr. Alfred Spearing said management had been concerned there was not enough parking near Front Street, which is closed to traffic for the night.

"The closest parking was at City Hall and farther down at Bull's Head,'' Mr.

Spearing said.

However, the Corporation of Hamilton has since decided to open Number One Shed to cars for the night, with access at the west end.

Mr. Spearing said it was also noted that hotels had put up posters advertising "Harbour Nights''.

The scheme is the first collective effort by Front Street merchants to offer late night shopping.