Fabian's destructive visit to Bermuda has left many businesses busier than ever.

With damaged houses and businesses littering the Island, construction workers are putting in extra hours to try and cope with the increased workload.

Dennis Fagundo, joint managing director of D&J Construction, is having to turn down work in an effort to keep on top of the unprecedented demand.

"You could say we are fairly busy," said Mr. Fagundo, Chamber of Commerce construction division spokesman, whose company has been flooded with requests in recent days.

"But we are not making promises we cannot keep. We know our limitations and we are making the most of our resources at the moment."

He said the company, which employs 65 staff, was working flat out before the hurricane but had diverted many staff to the new post-Fabian projects.

"Our existing clients have been very understanding," he added.

"They don't mind us slowing down projects or diverting workers as we help to put the country back together."

Cell phones have also been flying out the doors of retailers, with customers without electricity desperate to get back in communication with friends and families.

"It has been crazy here," said a customer service assistant at AT&T's Hamilton office.

"People have come in desperate to get a phone to keep them going. It has been real busy."

Oleander Cycles, which suffered only signage damage to buildings across the Island, has reported increased new and extended rentals as well as sales since the hurricane.

Bikes and cars across the Island were damaged or destroyed by the winds and flying debris.

"It has not been phenomenal but we have sold a number of new bikes and had some new rentals since the storm came," said Geoffrey Gibbons, general manager and vice president of Oleander Cycles.

"We were quite lucky as we didn't seem to lose any bikes out here."

Many restaurants and bars, meanwhile, have maintained a constant trade with the missing tourists being replaced by powerless residents desperate for air-conditioning, cold drinks and hot food.

"We have seen the level of trade remain pretty much the same," said Pickled Onion manager Philip Barnett.

"The tourists who we would normally see at this time of year seem to have been replaced by residents. We are pleased to be able to offer them a cold beer, hot meals and air-conditioning.

"There has been no real slowdown in trade."

The Pickled Onion, despite sustaining some superficial damage, was ready for business on Saturday lunch-time although, due to the lack of customers around at that time of day, didn't open until 5 p.m. for dinner.

But with his Chamber of Commerce restaurant division president hat on, Mr. Barnett expressed sympathy for other premises that were not so lucky.

"We have a lost a number of restaurants, particularly at the hotels," he told The Royal Gazette.

"It is a sad time for the industry when that happens and it is particularly sad for a number of foreign workers who have already been told their season is over."