Retailers in Hamilton have hailed their opening the Sunday before Christmas as a great success. And now the shops have vowed to do the same next year and hope that more stores around the Island will join in.

In all over two dozen shops opened their doors between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday and sales were good.

Retailers said that customers voiced their appreciation at having an extra day shopping which was quieter than Saturday.

"It beats opening late on a Friday every time,'' said Ian Smith, the brains behind the scheme and manager of jewellers Astwood Dickinson. "The response really was fantastic. Many people said they really enjoyed shopping on the Sunday -they said it was better than sitting at home and twiddling their thumbs.'' Astwood and Dickinson said that the store took more than it did on 93 other days of the year. The Phoenix store saw a huge volume of customers come through its doors - 2,500 in total in just that Sunday.

And both Pulp and Circumstance and Bluck's said they had a fantastic day of trading. The shops made history by opening on December 19. It was the first time Sunday trading had been allowed on such a grand scale. In most countries opening the last Sunday before Christmas has now become normal for retailers, who see their profits soar at this time of year.

Last month the Department of Information Services asked for any businesses who wanted to open on the Sunday to apply for a special licence. This was done after members of the retail section of the Chamber of Commerce approached Finance Minister Eugene Cox with plans for the opening. The minister agreed that special trading licenses would be issued for businesses who wanted to open on that day.

Out of 42 shops in the Visitor Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce, 26 got special licences to open.

But none of the large department stores joined in the shopping day, but it is hoped they may participate next year.

"It was a great day, and people seemed to enjoy themselves shopping without the hustle and bustle of Saturday shopping,'' said Mr. Smith.

Sunday shopper's names went into a special Chamber of Commerce prize draw. The winners were: Scott Gilbertson won 1st prize - a pair of American Airline tickets to anywhere in the US or Caribbean. Heather Farrujia won 2nd prize -- a diamond lantern from Astwood and Dickinson. E. George Smith won 3rd prize -- a $200 gift voucher. Dai James won 4th prize -- a $100 gift voucher.

OPENING HOURS Chamber of Commerce members have agreed on the following opening hours over the festive season: Christmas week Today until Thursday, 9am until 9pm. Friday, Christmas Eve, 9am until 5pm. New Year week Monday closed. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, normal opening hours. Friday, New Year's Eve, close at 4pm.