plunged into doubt yesterday.

It follows the decision by the MarketPlace not to run the Hamilton Parish store.

MarketPlace directors pulled out after being denied a liquor licence.

Last month the Court of Appeal ruled alcohol could not be sold from the premises.

It signalled a triumph for protesters who complained the store attracted vandals and drunken hooligans.

Some complained people were often harassed by rummies.

Chief protester was Mr. Colin Curtis, whose Bermuda Perfumery business is about 150 yards from the store.

Yesterday he said he was dismayed by the MarketPlace decision.

He stressed his objection centred on a liquor licence -- he strongly supported the store.

"I am sorry that the MarketPlace have decided not to go ahead with it. I presume it is a business decision.

"I hoped they would continue operating a convenience type grocery store.'' Mr. Curtis said he did not feel he had scored a victory.

"I feel MarketPlace should have received a liquor licence in principle,'' he explained.

"It was only because of the particular circumstances in this case that we objected.

"It had nothing to do with the calibre of the people who would have run the store.'' MarketPlace directors announced their decision in a terse statement yesterday.

It read: "After careful deliberation we believe that it is not in the best long term interests of the company nor the community for the MarketPlace Limited to pursue the project any further.

"We take this opportunity to thank all those who supported us in our efforts to reopen the store, and for those who opposed it, we can say we understand their reasons for so doing.

"We have no doubt that we shall continue as good neighbours.'' Store bosses declined to elaborate on the statement.

If the licence bid had been successful MarketPlace would have become tenants of Burrows Lightbourn Ltd.

Burrows leases the property from owners -- the estate of the late Mr. Michael Calleja.

Last night Mr. Richard Hartley, Burrows' Managing Director, said the premises would probably be sub-let to "whoever is interested''.

He said Enterprise Grocery had been in existence 40 years.

"I don't know whether it will remain a grocery store or a convenience store.

It depends who sub-lets it from us,'' he added.

"I don't even know whether the trading name Enterprise Grocery would remain.''