SHOPPERS in Worcester braved the bad weather on Saturday to pick up the last of their Christmas goodies.

But the icy conditons meant some businesses failed to cash in on one of the busiest shopping day of the year.

Some shops had to close early so staff members could get home.

Mark Stewart, owner of Wise Owl Toys, in Charles Street, Worcester, said: “Considering the weather it could have been a lot worse, but business was down dramatically on what we had been expecting or hoping for.

“We were down about 40 per cent compared to last year. We still had a number of people through the door, but nowhere near as many as we had expected.”

Hayley Thomas, manager of Animal in CrownGate shopping centre, said: “It wasn’t as busy as we thought it would be but it was still busy at times.

“People still ventured into town despite the weather.”

A spokesman at House of Fraser in CrownGate said the store closed early, at 5.15pm.

She said: “Business was brisk, it was OK for us.

“But we did have to close the store half an hour early for staff safety, so they could get home.”

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