Makin' Waves plans to open its new and larger Dockyard store by the end of next month, to be up and running ahead of the first cruise ship arrival on April 13.

Co-owner Stuart Joblin said the move out of the surf, dive and swimwear store's previous spot in the Clocktower Mall and into the former home of the Club Malabar nightclub on Camber Road would be good for business.

"The space we had in the mall was only about 700 square feet," said Mr. Joblin, who co-owns the business with Douglas Patterson. "When the big ships came in, the mall was completely overwhelmed. People couldn't get into the store and we could not get enough stock in there to meet demand.

"The new premises became available and we started work on it in September last year and have nearly completed the renovations.

"It's a really usable space, about 2,000-plus square feet with 30-foot high ceilings, so it will be much better for us."

Makin' Waves also has stores in Hamilton and St. George's, and six full-time staff, not including the co-owners. The Dockyard premises will be geared more towards the visitor than the other two.

The business is in its 21st year and the investment in the new store showed the commitment to remain involved in Bermuda retailing "for the long run", Mr. Joblin said.

"Perhaps it's not the best time to be spending money on renovations, but the place became available and we did not want to lose the opportunity to take it," he added.

Christmas trade had been "softer than normal" for Makin' Waves, Mr. Joblin said, adding that the warmer months were its busier time and the Wednesday before Cup Match was its equivalent of Christmas Eve.

He was hopeful that the cruise ship season would be a successful one, despite the economic slowdown.

"The people who do still travel and come here on cruise ships will certainly have less money to spend," Mr. Joblin said. "If I was selling fine leather goods or jewellery, I'd be concerned.

"But we feel our prices are at the level where people will still want to buy something. People will still want to treat themselves."