Jewellery store boss Tommy Dickinson brushed aside criticism he had done a U-turn on foreign ownership in Bermuda.

"Without change there is no growth,'' he said.

Ten years ago Mr. Dickinson had warned foreign chain stores could sound the death knell to local stores -- including his own, Astwood-Dickinson.

At the time, he was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's sales division.

Now Mr. Dickinson has caused some tongues to wag after his company linked up with Caribbean-based Colombian Emeralds International.

On Friday, however, he declared Bermuda had undergone big changes over the last ten years, particularly with the recession.

"The recession changed the philosophy of our customers and changed the way we did business. That is a fact we have to face.'' It was recently announced CEI would gain 40 percent ownership of Astwood-Dickinson.

The deal leaves managing director Tommy Dickinson as majority owner, holding 60 percent of the business.

The Royal Gazette understands the partnership has touched off controversy among staff, who face cuts in basic pay.

Yesterday Mr. Dickinson explained employees stood to receive seven percent commission on their total gross sales for the week.

Each employee would be set sales targets -- although he could not say what they would be.

"They would be targets we would like them to reach.'' Some sales personnel have quit, while others are said to be considering their position.

"A lot of people are very upset. For some staff, salaries are being knocked down by a half or a third,'' a company source said recently, adding: "Mr.

Dickinson has completely changed the view he held when he was with the Chamber of Commerce.'' Mr. Dickinson accepted some staff were concerned at the prospect of change.

He believed, however, there was misunderstanding about the new arrangement -- and he intended taking out an advertisement setting out the facts.

"I am very gratified by the number of calls I've received from Bermudians who know what we're doing and have congratulated us.'' Mr. Dickinson said hard-working employees stood to reap big rewards from commissions.

"Income will be performance-related. I accept some people are concerned. They are not comfortable about stepping out of their comfort zone.'' Mr. Dickinson had little time for reports the partnership with Colombian represented an about-turn.

The Royal Gazette recently received a newspaper article from an anonymous source.

Dated December 2, 1987, the story outlined Mr. Dickinson's views then on foreign ownership.

In it, Mr. Dickinson is quoted as saying foreign chain stores opening branches on the Island could lead to the demise of Bermuda's trademark stores -- including Astwood-Dickinson, Trimingham's and the rest of Front Street's big names.

"His comments were prompted by the possibility that a store will be opened here by the Caribbean chain of crystal, china and jewellery stores Little Switzerland,'' the Royal Gazette article stated.

"The company has established a corporate presence here with the change of name of an existing Bermudian company to Little Switzerland.'' Mr. Dickinson reportedly said: "I'm deeply concerned. I question the motives of companies such as Little Switzerland.

"While I believe in fair trade, I am far from being convinced that Little Switzerland represents fair trade.'' Mr. Dickinson went on to state that "just one store selling at artificially-low prices could drive Bermudian retailers out of the marketplace in three to five years''.

"People don't realise how fragile the Bermudian retail sector is, he said, but if it disappeared it would have a great negative influence on the tourism industry.'' Mr. Dickinson is then quoted as saying: "The 40 Thieves no longer exist, they haven't existed for some time. We work with limited finances and limited margins to stay competitive.

"The bottom line is, if this is allowed, then make it honest competition.'' Mr. Dickinson and then Chamber president Joe Johnson stressed that if the intent of the 60:40 law was honoured there would be no objection.

"But it's one thing for a Bermudian to own 60 percent, and a non-Bermudian to own 40 percent, but they can have different arrangements on profit-sharing,'' Mr. Dickinson reportedly said.

On Friday Mr. Dickinson said it was "absolutely stupid'' to make comparisons between his view in 1987 and the one he held now.

Bermuda had changed over the ten years, he said.

"I would say that if anyone doesn't change and evolve over the years something is wrong.

"Over that time there has been a recession and, of course, Bermuda has changed.

"We all have to change -- without change there is no growth.'' Mr. Dickinson said Astwood-Dickinson planned to expand and had started a recruitment drive.

An advertisement for sales associates, full-time and seasonal, has appeared in The Royal Gazette .

"Salary will be based on commission which offers candidates an attractive opportunity to excel,'' the ad stated.

Said Mr. Dickinson: "We are taking on about 14 extra people as part of our plans. We've had a very good response to our recruitment drive.'' CEI was the first foreign or outside jeweller to expand into Antigua, St.

Lucia, Barbados and Cayman Islands.

The group is privately owned by a handful of individuals, of which Stephen Crane is the majority shareholder.

Recently it emerged CEI put two of its 50-odd corporations into Chapter 11 bankruptcy following devastation wrought by hurricanes.

Astwood-Dickinson's partnership with CEI followed a slide in retail industry fortunes since 1990.