Outdoor clothing shops in Wrexham say trade is busier than the pre-Christmas rush thanks to the Arctic weather.
Business is booming at stores like Trespass and Mountain Warehouse at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
Sledges and snow suits have been particularly popular and they’re now having to get their skates on to order new stock to keep up with demand.
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley paid tribute to the tireless efforts of the centre’s maintenance and cleaning staff who had “worked like Trojans” to clear the snow.
Mr Critchley said: “They have been nothing short of heroic and they have ensured that Eagles Meadow remains a safe and enjoyable shopping environment despite the wintry weather.”
With no sign of a let up of the big freeze, Trespass store manager Matthew Langwine was also grateful.
He said: “It’s been unbelievably busy to be honest. Unreal in fact. January can be a a bit quieter once the sales clamour has settled down. However, the heavy snow has given us a massive boost.
“We are way up on last year’s figures, in fact it’s going to be a record January and that’s down to the last few days.
“We have hardly any sledges left but children’s snow suits have also been flying out of the door along with hats, scarves and gloves. And we have been selling a great many more wet weather coats than normal too.”
He added: “Basically it has been an outstanding few days and as far as we are concerned, let it snow from now until Christmas!
“Thankfully we have a large delivery coming in as we are getting short on some stock.
“I have been the manager since we opened the store a little over 12 months ago and trade over the last few days has been the best busiest we have seen, even beating Christmas.
“And we actually had very good trading figures throughout December.”
It’s the same story at another Eagles Meadow outlet, Mountain Warehouse.
Day manager David Morris has worked at the store for the past three years and the last few days have been some of the busiest he has seen.
He said: “It’s been remarkable few days and a very welcome boost to trade. We are just about out of sledges, snow boots, gloves, hats and scarves.
“We are having extra deliveries to cope with the increase in trade. Our year-on-year figures are well up, through the roof in fact. And it’s pleasing that we are also selling more top quality winter outdoor coats too.”
He added: “It’s been fantastic and all I can say is the more snow we get the happier I will be, it’s been absolutely wonderful for trade.”
