Dockyard bosses have thrown down a challenge to Bermudian entrepreneurs to come up with a unique visitor attraction.

An advert in The Royal Gazette this week asked for prospective tenants to come up with "a unique visitor-related business'' to operate seven days a week which will draw in not only visitors but residents as well.

West End Development Company development manager Ed Williams said: "It's a challenge -- we're trying to find out what's out there.

"We always like to have a mix of small businesses in the retail sector along with some of the more established names.'' Mr. Williams said the advert was not specific because it was hoped to attract new and exciting ideas to Dockyard.

He added: "We never profess to have a monopoly on the market and we like to know what other people are thinking.

"We are looking for things which may depict more Bermuda-type products or something which has been a success in another part of the world.'' Mr. Williams said that the perception was that the retail market in Bermuda was soft -- but pointed out that the Island was not alone in that.

He explained: "We are always wondering if it's just what we are offering is not what the visitor is looking for.

"There are many people out there who may have ideas on this and we want to hear them.

"We want to hear what concepts people may be thinking about and if they can be embraced in Dockyard.

"I am sure there are products out there which would be attractive to the tourism business. But we don't want to preclude any ideas.

"Government has been challenging people to reinvest in the tourism business and Wedco have been trying this ever since we started working on this project.

"We are trying to create a unique environment -- to offer, in the same way St. George's is trying to, a diversity in the product.'' Mr. Williams said the advert also asked for "some attraction to the local market to assist it through the shoulder season'' because research had shown that residents are keen on new experiences as well.

He added: "Locals like to move around in the Country as well and they like to have outings. That's one of the reasons why we asked that things should be attractive to the local market too.'' Anyone with an idea which could capture the imagination of WEDCO should contact The Development Manager, PO Box MA415, Mangrove Bay, MA BX.

Ed Williams