Huge snowfall a big blow to festive sales and parties

Up to 11 inches of snow fell across Bolton on Friday night and Saturday morning and temperatures dropped as low as minus 10 degrees celsius, keeping shoppers and revellers indoors.

Even Friday — dubbed ‘Mad Friday’ by police and landlords — was badly affected as many partygoers opted to stay at home rather than go out, or left early when bus and taxi services were forced to stop running because of the weather.

Neil Piper, landlord of the Dog And Partridge pub, in Manor Street, said: “It has been awful. It was very quiet in the pub on Friday and most of the customers had come in for shelter while they worked out how to get home. People were walking home to Ramsbottom and Radcliffe because they couldn’t get taxis.

“It was supposed to be the busiest weekend of the year but no one wanted to go out. A lot of venues closed early and everyone has lost a lot of money.

There is a lot of beer left in our cellar.”

It was treacherous on the roads, as motorists struggled in the snowy conditions. A taxi crashed into the pub at 2am on Saturday, though it did not damage the building and the driver escaped unhurt.

Mr Piper piled up the snow outside to build a 4ft barrier and stop more vehicles crashing.

Danny Howell, bar associate at the Spinning Mule, in Nelson Square, said: “The snow definitely made an impact. It was busy, but all the customers left early because they were worried about getting home. It was supposed to be ‘Mad Friday’ and we had more staff working.

We had to send a lot of people home.”

Rick Hawcroft, manager of The Bar, in Nelson Square, added: “The weather made a real impact and we have lost money. We had a few parties booked that were cancelled because of the weather.”

Ryan Aldred, assistant manager of the Elephant And Castle, in Deansgate, said: “The weather has affected our sales because people are worrying about transport and staying at home.”

John Jewitt, licensee of Ye Old Man and Scythe, in Churchgate, added: “A lot of people were already out on ‘Mad Friday’ when the snow became a problem.

They couldn’t get taxis, so a lot of people walked home. It certainly wasn’t as busy over the weekend as I expected it to be.”

Retailers banking on a last-minute Christmas shopping rush were also left disappointed.

Simon Clarke-Williams, director of Orbit Devel o p m e n t s , which owns Middlebrook Retail Park, said: “The car park wasn’t as full as expected on Saturday because of the weather.

“Obviously the retailers were expecting it to be the biggest weekend of the Christmas shopping period, but the weather went against them.”

Rob Clarke, manager of Debenhams in the town centre, added: “There is no doubt that the snow has made a big impact on the final weekend before Christmas. It hasn’t been as busy as we expected.”

Rod Neasham, manager of the Market Place, said: “Everything is open as it should be, despite the snow. I am surprised so many people have braved the elements to come shopping.

It could be that people are thinking twice about driving out of town and choosing to shop locally.”

Among those shopping at the Market Place were Sofia and Jon Critchley, both aged 50, from Westhoughton. Mrs Critchley said: “ I wasn’t going to let the snow keep me at home.”

Mr Critchley added: “The world can’t stop just because it’s been snowing.

We still have to do our shopping before Christmas.”

Laverne Lowe, aged 41, from Worsley, said: “My daughter needs a party dress for school and I have to get an extra Christmas present. I didn’t think about staying at home, but drove very slowly.”

Paul Cheeseman, aged 53, from Little Lever, said: “I am still Christmas shopping so I didn’t have a choice about coming out.”

Laura Gleave, aged 36, from Tonge Moor, said: “I’m working until Christmas Eve, so I had to come shopping whatever the weather.”

The snow affected festive events across the borough.

A carol concert by Bolton Choral Union and Blackburn And Darwen Brass Band, due to be held on Saturday night at Victoria Hall, was cancelled.