Steve Thomson said yesterday.

Mr. Thomson's purchase of the assets of the two businesses sparked a confrontation with the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) which escalated into a strike, crippling bus, ferry and garbage collection for three days last month.

"We are in the final stages of negotiating the sale of both. It is the intention of the buyer to open both dry-cleaners simultaneously,'' he said, citing the loss of goodwill.

The buyers are local business people but Mr. Thomson, who bought the assets of the two dry-cleaners from businessman Stanley Evans, declined to say who they were until the deal was final.

The deal would likely be concluded this week, he said.

Mr. Thomson, his father William Thomson and Stephen Dunkley, vice president of Dunkley & Pioneer Dairies Ltd., had set up limited liability companies to purchase of the assets of the two dry cleaners. They also own Mailboxes Unlimited Ltd. and Just Shirts.