£millions lost in trade

Traders and retailers were left counting the cost of the heavy snow which fell across the two counties on Saturday, and earlier frosts and icy weather this winter.

Gary Woodman, head of policy and education at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said estimates suggested that trade was damaged to the tune of between £12 million and £15 million on last year’s takings in Worcestershire.

Traders in Herefordshire, which has been less badly hit by the snow, still lost out by between £5 million and £8 million compared with the same time last year.

The estimates cover the period between the end of November and yesterday, based on feedback received so far by chamber leaders.

Mr Woodman said: “There’s quite a bit of frustration really. This is a key time of year, particularly for the high street and online businesses, when retailers have to make their money.

“You’re relying on people to deliver the goods.

“Those people – including me – who have left their Christmas shopping late are panicking in more ways than one. It now depends on the length of time this goes on for. Trade is down certainly.

“There’s a little bit of a silver lining – people might have to walk to their local shops and shopping centres. Wholesalers for sledges have been doing a roaring trade.”

Erica Burlace, manager of CrownGate Shopping Centre in Worcester, said last week had seen higher than average sales, but the heavy snow over the weekend had forced many shops to close early.

She said: “Christmas creates an obvious customer demand which the retailers are now reliant on given that even online shopping can’t promise on delivery.

“I would encourage people to keep shopping and in your efforts, try to remember the Christmas spirit as shops work with fewer staff and the loom of the journey home.”

Yesterday, reports of panic buying saw trade pick up at supermarkets.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s in St John’s, Worcester, said: “People are buying general food such as bread, milk and vegetables – the usual supplies.

“We have been really busy, as you would expect. People have been panic buying because of the snow.”

However, she stressed that deliveries were getting through and there were no stock shortages.

Stuart Benyon, store manager at Sainsbury’s in Blackpole, Worcester, said: “I wouldn’t say it’s panic buying but people are thinking, ‘If I come out once this week then that’s the only trip I have to make’.

“Today has been really busy. We had a few problems over the weekend but everything is back on track now.”

A member of staff at Co-op in Angel Street, Worcester, said: “Milk and bread have been selling well. Our milk and bread in particular is selling out fast.

“There have been issues with deliveries coming in as they take a bit longer than normal, but the lorries are getting through.”

Tesco stores in Warndon Villages and St Peter’s were unavailable for comment.

Bins

Today’s black bin collections in Worcester are in doubt but residents are being asked to put their rubbish out anyway.

Yesterday trade waste collections were affected by the low temperatures after the oil froze in the hydraulic bin lifters.

Mike Harrison, Worcester’s head of cleaner and greener, said it was “very unlikely” today’s black bin collections would go ahead.

“Every attempt will be made to collect them before the end of the week,” he said.

Household waste collections in Wychavon were cancelled yesterday.

Phil Merrick, Wychavon’s head of community services, said: “Normally we would catch up with the collections over the weekend but due to Christmas and new year both falling on weekends we are unable to do this.”

Hospitals

Drivers with 4x4s have been helping stranded hospital staff get to work.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We are very grateful to a number of volunteer 4x4 drivers who are helping to bring staff in and take them home – but we would welcome more help.”

Patients have been told to attend hospital outpatient appointments if they can make it in safely and to ring up if they cannot.

The same applies to those who are having elective (planned) operations at Worcestershire’s three main hospitals.

Patients will be contacted if their operation is cancelled.

Anyone with a 4x4s who can help or nursing staff wishing to arrange transport should call 01905 760335.

Anyone not needing emergency treatment should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, visit nhs.uk or telephone their GP.

Post

MPs have thanked and praised postal workers battling the snow to try and get people their Christmas presents and post.

Worcester MP Robin Walker and West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin both talked to staff handling thousands of cards, parcels and packages being delivered across their constituencies.

Mr Walker visited premises in Westbury Street, off Rainbow Hill, Worcester, yesterday morning (MON) where 40 to 50 people were sorting.

He said: “The number of parcels there is phenomenal. I have never seen anything like it. The whole place is filled with boxes from Amazon and Play.com.

“Some people have been working all night.”

Mrs Baldwin took a tour of the Abbey Road, Malvern, which employs 63 people handling nearly one million items each month.

“Difficult weather conditions have made the job more challenging but I know that the team will do everything they can to make sure the Christmas post keeps running as smoothly as possible,” she said.

Schools

The last day of term came early for children and teachers at two Worcestershire schools.

Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Timberdine Avenue, Worcester, and Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School, Priest Lane, Pershore, both closed yesterday due to the weather.

Both schools will remain shut today which was meant to be the last day of term.

Buses and Trains

BUS services across Worcestershire were disrupted due to the snow.

Passengers are urged to check with bus operators direct before travelling.

All Learning Disability Centre Transport was cancelled as the centres were closed yesterday.

Train services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Birmingham Snow Hill were delayed yesterday due to frozen fuel.

London Midland urged passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

London Midland said staff worked through the night to keep trains free of ice, but were unable to prevent the fuel freezing in several of its diesel trains.

Train services were extremely limited yesterday and services into London Euston delayed because of ice damage. For more information, visit londonmidland.com or follow @londonmidland for helpful travel advice and updates.

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