It’s a good Xmas for shoppers but tough on traders

Friday 19th December 2008, 2:29PM GMT.

A DOWNTURN in spending means tough times for high street retailers this Christmas.

‘It is very, very difficult trading and we are experiencing times that we have not seen for many years,’ said Andrew Pinsard, merchandise manager at Creasey’s.

He has been in the business for 26 years and said that not since the 1980s had things been as bad. ‘We are getting used to not making the figures we have in the past,’ he said.

Jan Rushton (pictured), owner of The Pioneer, said sales were slow.

‘Until the end of October we were up on last year and then when the banks started scaring everyone, it dropped like a stone,’ she said.

Mrs Rushton said people were not spending as they had on previous Christmases but during late shopping last night, the shop had been busy.