a dispute with its landlords, the shop owner has claimed.

The shop Artifaction, which opened in November on Church Street, is run by Bermudian fashion model Amir and is located at the former Cable & Wireless building.

Amir, who until recently was based in Johannesburg, has had a shop every Christmas for the past five years, and was considering keeping the store open full-time.

Most items he has on display are from Southern Africa and include pieces from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Chad, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Ghana, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Sudan.

But in an e-mail to his customers Amir explained that due to problems with his lease, he had been forced to close the gallery and is selling off stock at discounted prices.

The shop will close on March 14 and items in the gallery will be on sale until then.

In the letter he said: "Too often do we hear about an unfortunate situation that leaves us shaking our heads and saying what a shame.

"Artifaction has not been given its lease after being promised to receive it once up and running.

"To battle out in court is very costly and kills a business. I am not willing, as curator, to incur these types of expenses. Instead I have chosen to close the gallery.'' Shutting up shop: Bermudian model Amir will be closing his Artifaction store next month.