Senators unanimously passed a bill extending duty relief for restaurants until March, 2009, yesterday.

The Restaurants (Temporary Customs Duty Relief) Act 2002, which gives duty relief for establishments upgrading their facilities, had been due to expire this month.

However, said he was surprised only $2 million worth of investments have been made since the Act had been passed with $430,000 of duty relief granted by Government.

That figure was low compared to the cost of doing business in Bermuda, said Sen. Hughes: ?You can?t fix a faucet in a bathroom for less than $500 bucks.?

The bill mirrors similar concessions for hotel investment and has been used by small traditional restaurants such as the Green Lantern and Double Dip Express as well as more upmarket establishments.