Nine staff at the Perfume Factory face losing their jobs after managing director Colin Curtis put the Hamilton Parish landmark up for sale.

They have been guaranteed one more summer?s work at the property. Property developer Ralph Terceira is negotiating to buy the five-acre site but pledged it would have a ?conservative future?. Asked what was planned for it he said: ?I honestly don?t know. It?s a wonderful property. We know it?s a sensitive sort of Bermuda landmark. That?s on our minds as we go forward.

?It has potential, whatever happens to it will be first class.

?A lot of it is woodland reserve, it?s a well protected property.?

Mr. Curtis, whose family has had the perfume factory since 1928, said this winter had been bleak on the visitor front.

The business was established by his grandfather W B Smith.

Mr. Curtis, who is a major shareholder in the business having run it for 20 years, said: ?There?s a degree of sadness obviously.?

But he said the next generation of his family had their own lives and were not likely to take it on. Mr. Curtis, who is 67, said he would now probably retire.

Mr. Terceira, who is an investor in Grotto Bay Hotel, said his initial interest was because of the property?s proximity to the hotel.

He said the factory would close at that location but could possibly go to another site.