EAST Lancashire retailers said this Christmas had been better than 2009, despite the snow.

Yesterday shoppers descended on towns as they searched for last-minute Christmas gifts.

And the rush is due to continue today with many shops open all day.

Overall retailers report increased footfall in most East Lancashire towns, although some say people haven't been spending as much.

And shopkeepers in Accrington and Nelson admitted they had struggled, hampered by road issues and competition from other towns.

Blackburn in particular has received a boost thanks to town's new £66million shopping centre extension.

Loraine Jones, general manager at the Mall Blackburn, said: “For us, the shopping centre has been a lot busier than last year.

“Footfall is up on last year, even with snow.

“We suffered a bit from the snow last weekend but this week has been really good.”

Accrington

Phil Bond, who works at Burtons and is also president of the town’s chamber of trade, said Accrington had struggled over Christmas.

He said: “The feeling I have got is that the weather has had a real impact on trade because a lot of people have not been able to get out and about.

“It means that people are less willing to stick around and browse, and that really takes its toll.

“Many shoppers have also probably headed for Blackburn, with its new shopping centre.”

Bacup

Rossendale boasts a new business success story, with Toys Two Treasure in Bacup recording record sales in recent weeks.

The business is run by partners Phil Riley and Liz Tucker for the last 18 months.

Phil said: “We’ve had good sales in the last quarter starting in October and the week before last we hit our record.

“We were set to break that last week but unfortunately we were unable to open on Saturday due to the weather.

“Overall we’re delighted with how we’ve progressed after opening in Bacup.”

Blackburn

Phil Ainsworth, who runs a jeweller’s in Darwen Street, said: “The weather has taken its toll and as a retailer, your heart really sinks when you hear that snow is on its way.

“But I must say the extension to the Mall shopping centre has really brought more people in.”

Blackburn Chamber of Trade president Paul Hoyle added: “The weather is not as bad as 2009 but my perception is that people are not quite spending as much money as last year.”

Burnley

Judith Crawford, of Badger Books, Keirby Walk, said: “We’ve had good trade this year, not the same as the Christmas season a few years ago but busy.

“After the snow at the weekend we have definitely had a mid-week surge in custom.”

Brian Hobbs, Burnley Chamber of Trade president, said: “The weather has certainly meant that the town centre has been quieter in recent days but I think the consumer spend has really held up.

"There still seems to be confidence among shoppers and overall it has been a good shopping period.”

Clitheroe

Charlotte Eccles, who runs the Raffia gift shop in King Street, said: “The weather has actually helped because I think people have thought it’s not worth going to Preston, Blackburn or Manchester and have stayed here.

“Online deliveries have been patchy and I think that has helped.

"I had one man in who bought almost all his presents from me.”

Ian Lloyd, president of the town’s chamber of trade, said: “You can look at it two ways: either the snow keeps people in Clitheroe or they don’t venture out at all.”

Colne

Grahame Wharton, town centre partnership chair and owner of Grahame’s Poultry on Market Street said the snow on Saturday could even have helped some traders.

He said: “Even with the deep snow we had a busy day on Saturday.

"My thoughts are that a lot of people could’t get out to the supermarkets so smaller shops won out for once.

“Lots of people have been shopping in the last couple of days and most of the other businesses I’ve spoken to say that custom has been holding up ok this year.”

David Riley, works at A White Room, Albert Road, Colne. The business sells designer furniture, lighting and gifts.

He said: “Trading has been good, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing and we’ve done well, particularly with mail order and an online sales.”

Darwen

Dave Grogan, owner of the Solitaire fashion shop in Bolton Road, said: “Darwen has been quite busy despite the snow, with people choosing to stay here rather than go to Blackburn or Bolton.

“We moved from the town centre this year and that has really helped.”

Steve Duncan, independent trader and Darwen Town Council leader, said: “My perception has been that Darwen has been really busy.

“We had special Christmas markets and many of the traders ran out of stock.”

Nelson

Nicholas Emery, from Nelson town centre partnership, said: “Trade has been quiet and uninspiring.

"I think people have been affected by both the economic and physical climate.

“There’s been extensive roadworks in the town centre, little late night and Sunday opening and many of the traders say things haven’t been great this year.“ Eileen Ansar, of Slick ladies’ clothing, Manchester Road, Nelson, added: “Nelson sometimes feels like the town that Christmas forgot.

"We have many valued customers but Christmas hasn’t provided the boost it should.

“The town has a lot to offer but there seems to be little effort made to boost trade.

"Even Pendle Rise didn’t open on Sundays.”