Government and a store boss last night moved to calm fears among small traders that large supermarkets could alter opening hours over Cup Match.

The Bermuda Industrial Union and the Small Grocers Association both expressed alarm that larger competitors could open their doors in the mornings over the two-day holiday.

However, last night acting Finance Minister Leonard Gibbons said only one store had applied to open in the morning -- and the application was thrown out.

Supermart president Tredick Gorham also said he knew of no large supermarket planning to open its doors over the two days.

Recently Government changed its policy on Sunday and public holiday openings -- saying large supermarkets could open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If a supermarket wants to change that time it has to apply for a special permit.

Yesterday Mr. Gibbons said: "The Ministry of Finance can confirm that it has received an application from one supermarket wishing to open on Cup Match mornings instead of during the current licensed opening hours of 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for that store.

"However, we have not been persuaded to grant the application and if the store in question wants to open on Cup Match it will have to be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.'' He added: "The Ministry has sought to clarify the situation regarding Holiday Trading Licences following concerns expressed by the Island's small grocers who have complained that large supermarkets could be allowed to open over the two-day holiday.

"Stores are allowed to apply to open on Sundays and Holidays and each application is considered on its own merits.'' Reports suggested that large supermarkets were planning to open en masse during Cup Match -- enraging small business, the BIU as well as Lindo's managing director Giorgio Zanol.

They believed the move would hurt the small businesses and erode Bermuda's unique culture.

Last night Supermart's Mr. Gorham said his store would not open either on the Cup Match mornings or afternoons.

He said he had contacted Lindo's, White's and the MarketPlace which he said are not opening.

"We could open on Cup Match, in the afternoons, but we do not want to,'' added Mr. Gorham.

A member of the Small Grocers Association, Mrs. Sonia Dismont-Burgess, said she was happy about the Government's clarification.

"It was sensible of them to decline the application,'' said Mrs.

Dismont-Burgess. "That is what we were looking for - for Government to enforce the policy that the larger stores would be permitted to open on Sundays and Holidays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.''