Businesses in the Island’s West End remain optimistic about the 35th America’s Cup, despite saying they have seen no significant increase in revenue so far.

While some establishments reported a slight uptake in business in the past six months, others insisted it is still too early to tell if there has been a difference and urged patience.

“We’re trying to push something that is not fully developed yet,” said Donald Hassell, owner of the Somerset Country Squire. “You’re only getting a slight taste of what’s happening.”

Mr Hassell said some members of the AC teams, but mainly support staff, had dropped by “every now and then”.

Although he has seen only a slight increase in business, he thinks there will be a big difference once the teams and their families are fully based here.

“Even if there is a trickle right now, you can definitely see the potential,” Mr Hassell said. “One day it’s just going to hit.”

The Royal Gazette approached businesses in the West End, the focus of America’s Cup activity, after a poll revealed that just under half the population does not support or is unsure about the Bermuda Government’s financial support of the event.

The manager of Woody’s Bar and Restaurant, Wayne Tucker, said he saw business increase after the announcement with some of the support staff occasionally stopping by.

But this has since died off, which Mr Tucker put down to the teams setting up their own kitchens.

Although he thinks the America’s Cup will be good for the country overall, Mr Tucker also questioned whether the Island is ready for such a large-scale event.

He is also concerned that the benefits will not be spread out among certain individuals.

“It’s not like it’s going Island-wide — a certain group of people seem like they have a lock on certain contracts and the way things are being set up for the America’s Cup.”

He added: “People are less excited because it doesn’t feel like the trickle-down effect is happening.”

Mr Tucker said Government should “educate people on how to get a piece of the pie and work along with them.”

Partner and managing director of Bermuda Fun Golf, Jill Kowalchuk, said: “We haven’t seen a necessary increase in business, but we’ve seen a lot of patronage from the America’s Cup teams.”

Ms Kowalchuk added that the event provides a great opportunity for new businesses, which she hopes will draw more people to Dockyard.

“It’s very difficult never having held an event of this magnitude to project the benefits because we have no concept of truly understanding the size of the event,” she added.

Ms Kowalchuk said Bermuda will not only benefit financially, but also through the global exposure it will receive, and added: “At the end of the day there is no way that it’s not going to benefit everybody.”

Staff at Somerset Pharmacy have seen a slight upgrade in business over the past six months with team members coming in to shop.

“That’s just with two teams here,” said one of the front store managers, who asked not to be named. “When there are more, I think we will see even more business. I think people just have to be patient — they’re not going to see things overnight.”

She added that while people are talking about the event and there is a general feeling of excitement, the critics “don’t understand what actually goes into the America’s Cup”.

“People just have to be open-minded and accepting to it,” she added.

Bob Ricketts, the owner of clothing store Orchid in Dockyard’s Clocktower Mall, said that although he is yet to see any cash benefit, he is still encouraged by the teams’ presence.

He said he has seen a bit more movement in the mall and remains hopeful that the event will boost business.

Hand Made co-owner Andrea Moniz said she has seen no direct influence since the announcement either, but hopes there will be more once the event draws closer.

“Even though I haven’t seen it directly, I think indirectly it is helping us,” she said, adding that when there is more money in the local economy, more money is being spent.