The advent of mega cruise ships at King?s Wharf, Ireland Island has seen a marked increase in business for Dockyard shops, and plans for another berth have been welcomed by managers who spoke to The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Somers Cooper, operations manager of AS Coopers, said sales at the A.S. Cooper branch in the Clocktower Mall are fairly strong with an increase in sales every month for the last 11 months. ?I think reduced air fares are bringing more visitors and there is a good local following on Sunday?s and Destination Dockyard has improved over last year.?

The co-chairman of the Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce, added the increase in business in Dockyard reflects the growth in business at the store?s location in Hamilton which he attributes to the demise of Trimingham?s.

Mr. Cooper said it is not clear if A.S. Cooper?s share of the market is increasing and staffing levels at the Clocktower branch have not increased. ?We are preparing for bigger business in the future in Dockyard. There are plans to build a second dock to accommodate a second megaship and less emphasis will placed on Hamilton as a cruise ship terminal,? Mr. Cooper said.

Most cruise ships of the future will be too large to get to Hamilton and St. George?s and any plans to do so may require widening Two Rock Passage in Hamilton Harbour or the Town Cut in St. George?s.

Audrey Brackstone owner of the Craft Market said while some months have been better than others, sales remain as healthy as the previous season with the regular influx of visitors during the week and weekend visits by the occasional cruise ships boosting sales.

Ms. Brackstone also said the new ferries have helped to improve sales and bring visitors to Dockyard and she expects to see more traffic if a regular ferry schedule is introduced, serving St. George?s and Dockyard.

Makin Waves co-owner Douglas Patterson said sales have increased slightly and said the store has obviously benefited from the megaships.

?Dockyard is the only port capable of facilitating the megaships, if and when a second passenger terminal is built business has to increase,? Mr. Patterson said.

Swiss Connection owner Donald Duerr said sales have improved over last year and believes local awareness has grown about shopping in Dockyard but said more events could be help bolster sales on the weekend.

Phyllis Correia Manager of The Bermuda Triangle also agreed that there has been a substantial influx of visitors to Dockyard and Kristi Grayston owner of Pulp & Circumstance in the Clocktower Mall said there is a strong following from locals more aware of the store.

Dockyard is also benefiting from occasional weekend visits and events such as Destination Dockyard on Tuesday?s.