St. George's retailers are being urged to sell products which better reflect the town's unique heritage, it emerged yesterday.

Corporation of St. George's secretary Larry Jacobs told The Royal Gazette : "St. George's is a unique town historically. It is an important historical site in the development of the western world.'' In 1995, the Corporation embarked on a project entitled "St. George's Town Heritage, Bringing History to Life'' which is a heritage-based strategic planning process that aims to improve the town's urban design while preserving and enhancing its rich history.

But the town's retail trade also needs to reflect this development, said Mr.

Jacobs.

"In other historic sites like Williamsburg, Boston, Charleston and St.

Augustine you find merchandise unique to that heritage.

"You don't find that in St. George's. What you find here is typically the same thing you find in either Hamilton or Dockyard.'' Mr. Jacobs stressed that discussions were only in the planning stage and types of merchandise the town's retailers could focus on had yet to be identified.

"It is being looked at but is only in the conceptual stages.'' Meanwhile shopkeepers are being encouraged to get the ball rolling.

"We are encouraging local businesses to broaden their horizons and look at the historical part of the town,'' he said. "We can't compete with Hamilton as a retail centre in terms of size so we need to look to things unique to us.'' St. George's Foundation chairman Louis Mowbray noted: "The shopping scene here, in terms of visitors and customers, is practically zilch at this time of year.'' The St. George's Foundation was established to raise funds for the town's long-term benefit.

Mr. Jacobs said the Foundation may contact experts in Williamsburg to help develop the concept.

Williamsburg has professionals who deal with merchandise and retail, he explained, and they could be invited to St. George's to see what the town should offer.

"Williamsburg is a finely tuned product. There is a lot we can learn from them.'' Mr. Mowbray added that the Foundation was also looking into the possibility of taking local craftsmen, and training more people as silversmiths, potters and glass blowers, and locating them in existing retail locations where visitors could watch them work.

Mr. Mowbray stressed: "There has not been anything specific decided yet. This is one of the things that has been discussed for a long time. It is early days yet.'' PAVING THE WAY -- Newly restored Pound Alley in the Town of St. George was opened on Monday after work to replace the asphalt roadway and concrete sidewalks with specially made paving stones was concluded. New decorative lighting, tree planters and improved wheelchair access were also provided as part of the St. George's Town Heritage Plan. The project was funded through a contribution made by the Spurling family. From left: Corporation Secretary Larry Jacobs, Lady Spurling, St. George's MP Rick Spurling. St. George's Foundation chairman Louis Mowbray, Mr. Spurling's wife Jane, St. George's Mayor Lois Perinchief and St. George's Alderman Terry Roberts.