AS East Lancashire retailers braced themselves for a influx of customers over the last weekend before Christmas many were left disappointed with the turn out.

Several stores who drafted in extra staff and extra stock to fulfil the needs shoppers said there were less people about than expected.

But bosses at The Mall in Blackburn said its stores had been extremely busy and a huge improvement on last year when snowy conditions kept people at home.

Joanne Fishwick, the manager of Bon Marche clothes shop, in Accrington’s Arndale said: “To be honest the weekend was fairly quiet to say it was the second to last before Christmas.

“We braced ourselves with extra staff ready to be mobbed only to find it never really got going.”

A spokesman from Oswaldtwistle Mills said: “I think many of our visitors have already completed their Christmas shopping. The weekend was fairly quiet despite having a number of coach parties.

“Most of our visitors just came to see Father Christmas.

“In actual fact the previous weekend was much better for us.”

Loraine Jones, general manager, said she was pleased with the number of people who had visited the shopping centre.

She said: “Saturday felt like the busiest shopping day yet this Christmas.

“It will be really interesting to see the footfall figures next week, as every shop owner I have spoken to have said they were mobbed.

“I think it has been such a successful day for retailers because it is the last Saturday before Christmas. People are starting to panic especially those who are at work throughout the week.”

Andrew Hartley, of The Octagon card shop in Blackburn Market, said: “It was busy, but not as busy as the previous weekend.

“I think the weather put a lot of people off – if there’s any frost or ice about, then many older people will not venture out.”

Altaf Patel, owner of Inspire menswear in Town Hall Street, Blackburn, said it had not been busy for independent shops.

He said: “In Blackburn the new centre is pulling everyone in and the council are not bothered about helping anyone else out.

“People are also spending less because of cutbacks.”

Terry Joy, a member of Clitheroe’s Chamber of Trade and owner of the Swan and Royal Hotel, said: “The weekend was just what we expected. It was definitely as busy as last year and busier than any weekend we’ve had this year.”