SHOPS are still struggling to match last year’s sales because of the wintry weather – but are prepared for a last-minute surge as people rush to finish their Christmas shopping.

The icy roads have meant that since Saturday many people have chosen to stay at home rather than brave the elements, which has meant many of the shops in Worcester haven’t done as well as they expected in the run-up to Christmas.

Erica Burlace, manager of CrownGate Shopping Centre, is sure the situation will improve for the city’s retailers.

She said: “People have to do their Christmas shopping – it’s not going to go away because of some snow.

“I think the High Street in particular could do very well in the next couple of days as opposed to retail parks and online.

"There is a reluctance to travel further than you need to and we’re running out of days to get gifts delivered.”

Ms Burlace said trade had already picked up by yesterday afternoon, thanks in part to Worcester City Council staff, who cleared pedestrianised areas in the city centre.

But like many shops, including TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer, her business had suffered because of the weather, Ms Gregory said: “At the weekend we were probably down 50 per cent but, because the weekend was so bad, the shoppers came back out again so we had a good day Tuesday.”

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce says the weather has had a huge effect on businesses in the region.

Gary Woodman, head of policy, said: “It is estimated that Worcestershire retailers will have lost between £12 million and £15 million due to snowfall in the run-up to Christmas.”

It’s not all bad news, though – Sainsbury’s in St John’s said it had benefited from people living nearby shopping locally rather than going out of town to buy their festive essentials.

Adrian Field, manager of Worcester Business Improvement District, would like to encourage more people to do their shopping closer to home.

He said: “This is a crucial time for many businesses and we want people to shop locally both pre- and post-Christmas and realise what variety Worcester has to offer on their doorstep.

“The last thing anyone wants to do is have to venture off miles away to out-of-town shopping centres when Worcester has something for everyone.”