THE deluge of snow which has fallen on North Yorkshire has dealt a huge blow to traders.

Stores across the region were hoping for a bumper start to the new year as they slashed prices – but the bad weather has left them counting the cost as school closures and travel problems left many people confined to their homes, unable to search stores for cut-price deals.

Freezing conditions led to one of York’s largest shopping centres closing its doors yesterday, meaning disappointment for consumers who braved the icy weather to visit York Designer Outlet, near Fulford.

“Due to extreme weather conditions, we took the decision to close York Designer Outlet on Tuesday,” said the centre’s manager, Louise Wilcock.

“This was a precautionary measure due to snow and our main concern is for the safety of our customers and staff and ensuring that we keep them protected.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will let shoppers know when the centre is reopening.”

Susie Cawood, the York head of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the weather had affected all businesses, not just those in York centre, and had been “hugely detrimental” to some firms.

She said: “Due to the number of closed schools, a lot of people have had to make alternative childcare arrangements and stay at home. It leads to less people being in work, which obviously has an impact on business.

“The snow has a knock-on effect for everybody and it is a big disappointment in the first week back after the Christmas and New Year break. We have got to get on with it as best we can.”

But the blizzards have brought good news for one firm – a spokeswoman for Halfords, based in Foss Islands Road, said it had seen a fivefold increase in sales of snow chains, which are attached to the wheels of vehicles to improve their grip.

The store has also registered a 22 per cent leap in the number of sleeping bags bought by motorists, as well as an increase in sales of screenwash, de-icer and scrapers.