Beleaguered department store Trimingham Brothers Limited is looking at what it might do with its most successful departments as it prepares to close its doors, it was revealed last night.

Trimingham's legal counsel Wendell Hollis told The Royal Gazette that Trimingham's - which took over the business of its next-door rival HA&E Smith's in late 2003 - was looking at options. And if a way is found to keep some of these departments open, it may save some of the 220 jobs due to be lost when the store closes at the end of July.

Trimingham's, which has the exclusive right to carry certain brands, may now look to transfer some of that to other retailers and a plan could also be hatched for some of the store's most successful departments to carry on in business.

The Island's oldest retailer, Trimingham's announced on Tuesday night that it would be closing after 163 years in business resulting in all of its staff being put out of work.

The news has been greeted with sadness by many including rival retailers who say the loss of the landmark Front Street department stores - Smith's and Trimingham's have been operating since the 1800s - will mean a less dynamic shopping experience for both locals and visitors. Both stores have long been the first stopping point for shoppers looking for everything from English china to Italian leather shoes, tailored men's suits, cosmetics and fragrances.

It is no secret that both stores have struggled in recent years, with management citing many factors from shipping and duty costs to the cost of electricity and wages as squeezing already slim margins.

Along the way shoppers complained that the quality of goods had fallen, but both store's continued to do well in certain areas.

For example, Trimingham's cosmetics department in recent years became a big hit when it scooped up sought after makeup-line MAC, 'the makeup of stars' while Smith's customers have often said no one could beat them for their men's department and shoe department.

Mr. Hollis said: "The shoes, cosmetics and the jewellery departments are almost like stand-alone businesses. We are looking at the best way to handle [those departments.

"It may well be that some of those businesses will stay in business and there is a possibility that some of them may find themselves in what was the Smith's building. There is going to be an effort to save some of those [departments, and if you save them you also obviously maintain some jobs."

Mr. Hollis said it would be premature to speculate on how many jobs could be saved, as the situation is still being assessed .

It was also too early to say under what management and circumstances segments of the business might continue.

"There is no definitive plan on this," he said.