Businesses in St George’s are hoping for a Christmas boost in sales although one town store is to close for several months.

According to management, one of Dockyard Glassworks’ St George’s branches will close after Christmas due to the current harsh economy, but reopen in April.

Management for Dockyard Glassworks said: “Due to the economic pressure, it is difficult to run three branches, including two in St George’s.”

The move will affect only one employee.

Cheryl Hayward-Chew, chairwoman of the East End Division of the Chamber of Commerce, said St George’s was experiencing the same difficulties as the rest of the Island.

“I think they are having some of the same difficulties in Hamilton and Dockyard, and they have been very creative in dealing with it,” she said.

“Luckily, we have the Olde Town Market on Sundays, which has really helped put St George’s back on the map.”

The weekly market, which started in late October, was intended to draw visitors and locals to the East End with vendors setting up tables and several town stores opening specifically for the event.

Ms Hayward-Chew said because the market seemed to boost business more on Water Street than elsewhere, this weekend it will expand into the Town Square with an antiques and flea market.

“Business in the town does seem to be increasing coming up to Christmas, but from what I have been told, it still seems down from last year,” she said.

A manager at the Island Shop said while business was slow on Monday and Tuesday, shoppers appeared in large numbers over the weekend.

“The last few days have been very slow, but we had a busy weekend, even with the foul weather,” the manager said.

She said that competition from stores in Hamilton had played a part in the general drop in Christmas shopping in St George’s, suggesting that the town should allow shoppers to park for longer.

“I think we need to get rid of the one hour parking,” she said. “Open the gates and let people come in.

“Right now, a lot of shoppers are going to Hamilton instead of shopping here.”

She also said that she was planning on keeping the store open late on the Thursday before Christmas for last minute shoppers.

“As long as people are around and interested in shopping, there’s no sense in turning people away. Not in this climate. Not in any climate.

“It will get better as we get closer to Christmas, I’m sure.”

Alfonso Harris, of Churchill’s, also said that he hopes to see more shoppers looking for stocking stuffers in the coming weeks.

“We’re trying to sell different things to see what the people are interested in,” he said. “We’re hopeful business will pick up.”

A manager at another St George’s store said: “It’s been very, very slow.”

The manager said that participating in the Olde Town Market had helped the situation, but not enough to make up for slow business overall.

“We get a few shoppers come around, and we are open if anyone needs anything, but we don’t do that well on the Sundays.”

Jean Lawrence, manager at Crissons, also expressed hope that business would pick up in the coming weeks.

“It’s very slow,” she said. “Normally, in the last few years, it’s gotten a little busier towards Christmas, but it’s still slow so far. Maybe everyone’s waiting until the last minute.”

While she felt that many businesses have been able to take advantage of the Sunday market, Crissons was not involved in the programme.

“We didn’t feel it was necessary,” she said. “I don’t think people would buy much here on Sunday. I know the English Sports Shop and the Island Shop are selling quite well, but I don’t think they would come here on a Sunday.”