One of Bermuda's biggest religious denominations has criticised the decision by the Phoenix Drug store to sell beer and wine at its flagship location.

Three months ago, after receiving permission from the Liquor Licensing Authority, the Phoenix Drug Store in Hamilton began selling alcoholic beverages inside a cooler ¿ something the company said was done for the convenience of its customers.

However, the decision has not been welcomed by everyone. The New Testament Church of God believes the store would have thought twice about its new inventory.

Rev. Dr. Dorothy Tuzo, who is the current administrator of the denomination's seven churches, yesterday questioned the store's rationale and expressed concern for the community.

Dr. Tuzo stated: "I am personally against alcohol 100 percent because it destroys the human being and it will destroy everything ¿ I wish they had not made the decision to sell alcohol.

"The Bible says wine is a mocker, it will mock you. Strong drink is outrageous and we stand by the word of God. I'm 83-years-old and the Phoenix has made it for years without (selling alcohol) all this time, so why would they start now?

"One thing I've realised is that people are going to do what they want to do, but I and the New Testament worldwide church, are against alcohol."

In an article appearing in the Bermuda Sun two weeks ago, Phoenix Stores CEO George Grundmuller said: "It's for the convenience, some of our customers said it would be nice to be able to buy (beer and wine) here because we're in town ... so they didn't have to run here and there."

The Royal Gazette was unable to get comment for this article from Mr. Grundmuller last night and repeated calls to other management officials were not returned by press time.

Specifically voicing concerns for the community, Dr. Tuzo believed the sale of alcohol in a place like the Phoenix Drug Store is "dangerous" and questioned how the sales would be policed.

"It can be very dangerous to our children, especially where children might try anything... not only because the Phoenix Store is selling it on a whole, but the Island is so crowded and it's dangerous to even have another place to add to those that already sell it."

Furthermore, in viewing the alcohol sales unnecessary, Dr. Tuzo said that shoppers seeking alcoholic beverages already have a variety of liquor stores throughout Hamilton to choose from.

Yesterday, when The Royal Gazette turned up at the store, a cooler filled with popular beers and wines could be seen near the cash registers at the front of the store, with one employee saying the store only sells six-packs of beers and not single ones.

Outside, customer Marilyn Burchall, frowned upon the selling of liquor at the store, saying: "They shouldn't have it because that's supposed to be a sacred place, a place where children go to buy toys... I am a Christian and I don't think they should do it."

Gwen Simmons told this paper: "I feel that it's not appropriate, especially when children who are under age can come in and purchase the drinks from a cooler.

"If their going to sell that kind of drink, it should be controlled better... especially when they (underage children) can walk into an establishment, buy the liquor and jump on a bike and drive a car."

In Bermuda, the legal drinking age is 18. The drugstore has said that customers who look under the age of 25 will be required to show ID to buy alcohol. The beverages are supplied to the shop by Gosling's and Burrows & Lightbourn.

Donna Pearman, president of People's Pharmacy on Victoria Street in Hamilton, a store that has won several Best of Bermuda awards for being the best pharmacy in Bermuda, revealed her store did not intend to follow suit.

Ms. Pearman stated: "We have absolutely no plans to start selling wine or anything of that nature, whatsoever."

Asked if she ever heard her customers to demand the sale of alcohol, she replied, "To my knowledge, I've never heard of anyone requesting that, so we have no reason to even start looking at selling wines and spirits.

"It's just not something the company would look at unless there is a demand. In the last couple of years there was a demand for toys, so we expanded our toy section.

"There is a demand right now for baby products and so we're concentrating on that. Generally, if a demand presents itself then we will examine it, but this specific demand (alcohol) has not been there for People's Pharmacy."