they objected to his bid to sell alcohol.

The Enterprise Grocery in Bailey's Bay was stopped from stocking liquor by the Liquor Licensing Authority last Friday.

The Bermuda Perfumery, next door to the grocery store, objected to the store's application.

They claimed the area around North Shore Road in Hamilton Parish could become swamped with young winos and down-and-outs if the licence was granted.

But spokesman Colin Curtis, who runs the perfumery, said he reached a last-minute agreement with Enterprise Grocery boss Walter Cross.

He said Mr. Cross agreed not to stock hard liquor and would restrict sales of beer and wine.

But the liquor licence was still denied. And Mr. Curtis said: "I personally have huge sympathy for Mr. Cross.

"He's a man I respect as a person and in terms of the way he runs his business.

"We put a compromise position to the authority but that was evidently rejected.

"The problem is nothing to do with Mr. Cross or the grocery but the fact that there are some rather unpleasant people about, who over the decades have congregated in the bushes nearby.

"I know it's very hard for Mr. Cross and other small businesses to compete with the large chains. I'm not one of these people who like to tell others how to run their business.

"But unfortunately Mr. Cross is the victim of his premises' location. He's a person I would not willingly do any harm to.'' Mr. Cross declined to comment.

BUSINESS BUC