Sunday trading.

The Royal Gazette understands the petitions will be used as part of a bid to prevent large supermarkets from opening on Sundays.

One trader said a meeting was being set up with Finance Minister the Hon.

David Saul. But Dr. Saul said: "I am not aware of any plans for a meeting with small shop owners. I would, however, be happy to meet them. I am always prepared to meet people.'' Dr. Saul added he would be presenting Cabinet colleagues with a paper on Sunday trading.

Under the current policy, stores can apply to the Registrar of Companies for a permit to open up to 2,500 square feet on Sundays.

Two small stores petitioning customers are Front Street wine and spirit merchants, Dismont Robinson and Co Ltd, and Warwick's Lines Food and Liquor Mart. But management at both premises were reluctant to comment on the petitions, and their plans on the issue.

The Dismont Robinson petition reads: "As you probably know by now, the supermarkets are trying to obtain Sunday permits.

"If you are satisfied with the current Sunday and holiday service Dismont Robinson and Company Ltd. provides, please sign below.'' The Royal Gazette counted some 240 signatures.

One of the store's managers, who did not wish to be named, said: "We are getting people's feeling on Sunday opening. The response so far has been fantastic.'' The petition at Lines Food and Liquor Mart carries identical wording to the Dismont Robinson one.

Manager Mr. Richard Powell said the response from customers had been "fantastic'' since the petition started over the weekend.

Some 99 percent of people coming into the store had signed.

Mr. Powell, however, declined to comment further, saying a public statement could be made following the proposed meeting with Dr. Saul.

"I think you will get a similar response from anybody else you talk to on this.'' It is understood traders at small stores fear supermarkets will eat into their business, if allowed to open on Sunday.

One trader believed Sunday opening of major grocery stores would have a knock-on effect with clothing stores following suit. "It would be the thin end of the wedge.'' Earlier this year, Dr. Saul, after a meeting with representatives of the Island's largest supermarkets, said Bermuda's Sunday shopping law needed to change.

Of the large stores, he said: "They do have a case. They say it's convenient to shop on Sunday and the volume of business being done on Sunday is now much more than one-seventh of the total volume.'' Dr. Saul said large stores wanted a firm, and fair stance on Sunday trading.

Either "it's all open, or it's all closed,'' he added.

This week, Dr. Saul said he would be putting a paper on Sunday opening to Cabinet colleagues. He added he would be discussing the matter with the United Bermuda Party caucus, and attempting to gauge everybody's feelings on the issue.

Last month, four MarketPlace Ltd. stores, White & Sons. Ltd. in Warwick, and The Supermart Ltd. on Front Street said they would open on Sundays.

The news was greeted with an injunction threat from Dr. Saul and anger from the Bermuda Industrial Union and churches. A day later, the stores said they would stay closed but enter talks with Government on holiday trading policy.

Dr. Saul later said the large supermarkets received no promises from his Ministry when they withdrew their threat to open illegally.