Bermuda is to get a branch of the UK high street retailer French Connection in the site of the former Yankee Store on Reid Street.

The Hornburg Calypso group made the announcement yesterday that the store, known by its logo fcuk in the UK, would open its doors before Christmas.

The store is well known in Britain for fashionable "trendy" gear for both men and women in classic lines. It has recently successfully branched out into Europe.

The store has been named "British Retailer of the Year" for two years running and is in most towns and cities in the UK.

"The product and brand were strong enough to persuade us but we were finally convinced by their commitment to staff training," said Katie-Jane Orton of Hornburg Calypso. "A training manager will be sent before the opening to train in operations and will continue to monitor the progression."

She added that modern refits were very important to the store and "no expense is spared" in the interior of the two-level store.

Last week The Royal Gazette revealed that Hamilton was to get a new "trendy" retail store for men and women on Reid Street - but at the time the identity of brand was being kept tightly under wraps.

But Hornburg Calypso's Pierre DuToya, said he hoped to be open before December for the Christmas rush.

The former Yankee Store has been completely gutted and the basement lowered by four feet to allow a larger gentlemen's clothing area in the basement.

"We are very excited about the new shop," said Pierre DuToya, general manager of the chain. "We hope that we can give the Bermuda public what they want."

Mr. DuToya, who has been at the helm of the company for the past 11 years, said work was behind schedule after delays for planning permission to revamp the site and Hurricane Fabian.

The group started work on the store in May, but work had to stop for a couple of months while planning worked on consents. Since then a crew of workmen have been hard at it trying to get the store ready before Christmas.

"Our target is between November 15 and December 1," said Mr. DuToya. "But it is looking like being more towards the end of November now."