One manager with decades of service said Trimingham?s had struggled against the odds.

?We were all working so hard to try to make everything work, to come up with promotion ideas and give customers what they wanted, making it better and prettier.

?But it came to a point where you can?t hold the overheads. It wasn?t a big shock. I don?t think anyone would say it was a shock. ?It?s complicated doing retail in Bermuda with 22 percent duty, online shopping, people travelling overseas and no one wanting to pay more than US prices.?

She said the Island had been starved of variety but Trimingham?s had tried to fill the gaps.

?It?s a very sad day for Bermuda ? a great loss. Cooper?s is separated all over town. It isn?t going to be a giant store.?

Now she faces a job hunt but others with young children and large bills have an even harder struggle.

?If you lose your job and you have a big mortgage you are in big trouble.?

The woman said she will be studying the Employment Act 2000 to see what redundancy money she is entitled to.

?I am so grateful people have made all these rules to pay staff when this happens.?

Former perfume department assistant buyer Ronnie Chameau said she broke down in tears when she heard the news.

She nurses hopes the company, which she had served for more than 30 years, might still survive.

?It?s almost like my family, it?s a real family to me and they were so good to me. I loved my Trimingham?s,? said Mrs. Chameau.

?But this is happening all over the world to family companies, they are being eaten up by large companies.?