The management of Bermuda's first e-grocery store has said that red tape from Government's Transport Control Department is hindering its business.

Just one week after bermudagrocer.com went online, management has said that TCD's decision to turn down an application for more than one truck has seriously affected the way the company can work.

Now, because just one delivery van is on the road, the company says it has to split deliveries into different parts of the Island.

Ralph Saints, Managing Director of Atlantic Imports, the company behind bermudagrocer.com, said he tried to get permission to run more delivery trucks.

Mr. Saints said: "We were turned down by TCD. This severely hampers the way we do business. We are starting a new and exciting venture here, and they are already putting problems in our way.'' A spokesman for the Government said the Trucks Advisory Committee is concerned over growing number of commercial vehicles on Bermuda's roads.

But he added that if the company feels that not having an extra vehicle is going to impact its business, it can appeal to the Director of TCD in the first instance, and then to Dr. Ewart Brown, Minister of Transport.

On August 8, the online service was launched which will deliver to individual households on the Island.

Bermudagrocer.com has already seen its web page's lists of items in store grow this week.

The online shop offers most items sold in grocery stores which can be ordered by setting up an account and ordering through e-mail.

Delivery can be made either in the evening, during the day or on Saturday and there will be free deliveries for orders worth more than $100. Any order less than this amount will be charged $10 per delivery.

Mr. Saints last week said he believes there is a real need for this kind of service in Bermuda.

"It is not a new idea around the world, there are similar schemes in the US, Canada and the UK, but it is new to Bermuda,'' he said. "So far the feedback has been great. It appears that there is a need for a service like this on the Island. It is a huge market and we think it will work very well.'' The service sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to beer, wine and spirits, soft drinks, dry goods as well as household items.

Atlantic Imports has taken over a warehouse at Marginal Wharf in Southside to stock and store the goods.

Atlantic Imports was set up eight years ago as a fruit and vegetable importer.

Now the company has branched out and gone on the Internet.

Mr. Saints said: "It is the way forward. We have had a lot of interest from both private clients as well as from companies. Once we are up and running, we may expand further, but so far we are concentrating on the Internet.'' Due to the shortage of vehicles, deliveries to the east of Flatts will be on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. West of Flatts will be on Wednesday and Saturday from noon until 9 p.m.

In an e-mail to all new customers this week, bermudagrocer.com recommended ordering goods by Thursday for Saturday delivery.

Payment can only be made at the moment through debit cards such as EasyLink and credit cards such as Visa, but payment methods may change in the future.

While there is currently no 5 percent discount on Wednesdays, but a special discount "platinum'' scheme is available and gives 12 percent off all shopping.

"We have high hopes for the scheme,'' said Mr. Saints. "And we are looking forward to serving our customers.'' Grocery jam: bermudagrocer.com is splitting deliveries because it is only allowed on truck.