When shops open on the last Sunday before Christmas next year, they will be part of a huge fanfare of celebrations.

Not only will there be the opportunity to do last minute shopping, but the judging of the Festival of Lights will be moved to the Sunday.

There are moves to close off Front Street and make the day a family fun day with street entertainment and a boat parade.

Ian Smith, the General Manager of Astwood Dickinson Jewellers and leading light in the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce who is behind the new Sunday opening scheme, told The Royal Gazette / the day will be the perfect way to shop and enjoy the lights.

And the day of festivities will be signed off with a boat parade.

So far this year over two dozen shops have signed up with the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce to open on the last Sunday afternoon in Hamilton the weekend before Christmas.

The 27 shops, from Front Street to the back of town, will be the first in some 70 years to open on this Sunday.

"It will be a great family fun day,'' said Mr. Smith. "I have been given assurances that next year the Festival of Lights will take place on the day after the shops close. We are looking at closing off the street and plan to sign off the day with a boat parade.'' This year shops from Miles Market to Carole Holding Studios and Aston and Gunn to People's Pharmacy have decided to join the new move.

The Tienda de Tabacco and Davisons of Bermuda have also signed up.

The latest recruits include Smugglers Reef and Triangle.

But most department stores such as Trimingham's and Cooper's and Smith's have shunned the move. It is believed Gibbons and Co is still considering whether to open on the last Sunday before Christmas.

In most countries shopping on the last Sunday before Christmas has become the norm.

Not only do shops open the last Sunday, but most Sunday's during the month.

Earlier this month the Department of Information Services asked for any business who wanted to open to apply for a special licence to do so.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce first decided to approach the Minister of Finance, Eugene Cox, with the plans earlier this month.

And he agreed that special trading licences would be issued for businesses who wanted to open on that day.

Out of 42 shops who are members of the Visitor Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce, over a third have signed up.

Shops will be opening on the Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. A scheme is being set up which will give shoppers on the day a 15 percent discount in selected restaurants on production of a receipt from participating shops.

There will also be prize draws for shoppers which are expected to include air tickets and gift vouchers from some of the 27 shops.