their premises if they are wearing combat fatigues.

The Royal Gazette can reveal a letter was sent to Regiment Headquarters (RHQ), to inform Regiment commander Lt. Col. David Gibbons that seven clubs had imposed the ban. The seven include Oasis Nightclub, Club 40, Docksiders, Blue Juice and Champions.

The Beach bar and Flanagan's are also signatories to the letter but said their part was a result of managers' confusion.

In the past, soldiers have been thrown out of Hamilton's popular night spots periodically because of behaviour but Regiment Adjutant Captain William White said: "We haven't seen any up-swing in unruly behaviour.'' On February 12, RHQ issued an order directing soldiers to stay away from above mentioned Front Street establishments while in combat uniform.

Some managers say they found the combat uniform was not "conducive'' to their clientele.

While Docksiders management refused to comment on the letter, a manager at Club 40, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I just don't think it's conducive with our dress code -- it just doesn't look appealing to a lot of our customers.

"They're good guys, I have nothing against them,'' he added, "They're welcome to come down dressed appropriately.'' The letter does make allowances for soldiers to wear Parade or Mess Dress in the establishments but fails to address the fact that most soldiers will never be issued Mess Dress.

And Parade Dress is only worn, with permission, during three to five ceremonial duties performed a year.

Even the Regiment's professional contingent called Permanent Staff, are only admitted in office wear at a restaurant manager's discretion.

But last night several club owners distanced themselves from the letter. The Beach owner/manager Rick Olson said soldiers are allowed in his establishment while in combat uniform even though the letter was initiated by one of his managers.

A miscommunication resulted in manager James Conyers, of The Beach, calling for soldier banishment without Mr. Olson's approval.

Mr. Olson said: "If there was ever a policy (banning soldiers in uniform), we don't have it anymore. We had some problems and it's all been sorted out.'' The other appellant signatory, Flanagan's owner/manager Mickey Adderley, said he believed the letter was addressed to the club from Lieutenant Colonel David Gibbons asking for their cooperation.

"Now that I've had a chance to look at it, it's totally out to lunch. We never have any problem with those guys,'' said Mr. Adderley, owner/operator.

"The guys that come in here are pretty all right and are good for business.

And members of my staff are in the Regiment -- I'm not going to kick a gift horse in the mouth.'' Mr. Adderley said the individual soldier's behaviour is what will determine whether or not they get thrown out. He withdrew his support of the letter.

Jay Corriea, Chairman of Chamber of Commerce's Nightclubs and Restaurant division, said the Chamber could not be associated with the letter.

"The Chamber has no standing policy (on soldiers in uniform), it's never been raised in the Chamber of Commerce,'' he said.