effects of the recession, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

And Mayor of St. George's the Wor. Henry Hayward called for traders to catch the "St. Georgianism'' virus to boost the town's flagging fortunes while faced with the challenge from "Grand Mall USA.'' The town has been going through hard times because of the recession and cruise ships' tendency to spend more time in Hamilton.

But first vice-president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Mr. Bobby Rego said traders in St. George's must be more sensitive to the wishes of their customers.

"Cruise ships are in St. George's at night,'' he said. "While their customers are playing golf and sightseeing on the beach during the day they return to St. George's to find the shops closed at night.

"Look at Florida. They are open 24 hours a day. We are missing a big opportunity to service our visitors.'' Mr. Rego also asked why St. George's was on a par with prices in Hamilton and asked traders why they did not go for duty free status.

He also suggested St. George's traders could concentrate more on crews of the cruise ships who are on the Island for six months a year.

Mr. Rego said traders in Bermuda had been warned about the recession during the good times six to seven years ago, but because they were successful they had ignored them.

But he said: "That is a silver lining. We are now all working harder with our staff. We are in the trenches together.

"Here in St. George's we have a jewel that may need some cleaning and polishing. Look at the historical significance.'' This was echoed by the Mayor. Mr. Hayward is now suggesting that once a week staff in local businesses dress up in period costume to take advantage of the town's historical past.

Area committee chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. David Rowntree agreed.

"We have 300 years of history here. It's a museum that people do not have to pay to come into,'' he said.

Mr. Rego said: "The staff of the Deliverance has been dressing up for years.

Why have the people of St. George's not caught on?'' Mr. Bobby Rego.