Hamilton traders have urged Harbour Nights organisers not to rest on their laurels with the successful events.

Front Street businesses have given a thumbs-up to the weekly Wednesday party but have called on the Chamber of Commerce to boost attendance with extra entertainment.

They feel Harbour Nights -- in its fifth year and promised to be the best yet in 1998 with street buskers -- could be even better with an emphasis on more traditional Bermudian entertainment.

And one suggested that an expansion to include possibly Reid Street and other surrounding roads could really set the event on the way.

Trimingham's general manager Lawrence Trimingham suggested more local musicians could get involved, with for example, Gombey dancers or a version of the Beating the Retreat.

He said more local crafts and perhaps, calypso music could add to the atmosphere.

And he called for any future additions to the evening to take place later, so people could have time for shopping and then enjoy the entertainment. "It has been good, Harbour Night is the best night of the week,'' he said. "I think the tourists have fun and the locals also join in.

"The atmosphere is better than it was last year.'' Wednesday nights even surpass the end of the week in terms of trade, said Flanagan's general manager Dodi Mack.

The Front Street bar and restaurant is usually bursting at the seams, especially on nights when the Beat the Retreat is scheduled, when customers vie for sought-after balcony seats.

"We are pretty well inundated for dinner because we have the balcony -- unfortunately we don't have a bigger one,'' she said.

"It is a little better than it was. Still, I think they could do some more.

The Gombeys, they are always a huge draw.'' Their trade was mixed, with locals and tourists mingling together -- including cruise ship passengers who would go in for a drink, she said.

"It is a good night overall, and sometimes it is better than Friday. We have been up on previous years and you can't complain about that.'' Carole Holding's picture and craft shop is certainly busier but a spokesman for the store said it was difficult to pin down whether the trade was detracting from the rest of the week.

Although primarily aimed at visitors, the nights have also succeeded in bringing more locals in to Hamilton.

Over 70 percent of the trade at a busy Pickled Onion is made up of residents, said general manager Philip Barnett.

And with many visitors making it up to the bar, he said they were often pleased to be able to mingle with the locals.

"It is the busiest night of the week, after Friday,'' he said.

"I think it tends to be a little small, compared to the number of people it draws. But there is scope for it to grow to Reid Street and other streets -- instead of just Front Street.'' Mr. Barnett also echoed calls for more local entertainers so the event was not based entirely on shopping.

"People want more of a Bermudian experience that they can take back with them -- that is what it is all about.''