RETAIL workers have been battling through last week's atrocious weather conditions to make sure South Devon's shops stay open for business.

Some dedicated staff have walked in to work through the ice and snow to keep our stores open for business as we rush out to buy snow boots, jumpers and thermals.

One of those was Catherine Griffin, store manager of Laura Ashley in Torquay.

She spent 45 minutes walking from her home in Paignton into the shop in Torquay's Fleet Walk.

Her four staff also managed to brave the elements.

She said: "We all battled to get into work. We are in the middle of one of our two annual mega sales and we managed to open on time and stayed open all day when the snow first fell.

"Trade was quiet but there are some holidaymakers around. Their coaches weren't running any trips that day so they were out and about, having a browse for something to do."

Those few shoppers did lead to some sales at the store.

However, it was a different story the previous week, post Christmas, when the Torquay Laura Ashley enjoyed its best trading week in its history.

Catherine explained: "We had a fantastic week, our best ever in Torquay.

"The mega sale is a major event for us, they happen every six months.

"Christmas was a bit slow for us and disappointing, as I think it was for a lot of other retailers in the Bay, but post-Christmas trade has been amazing, as has the support from our customers."

Catherine was also critical of the decision to move Torquay's late-night shopping event from Fridays to Thursdays, in competition with Exeter and Plymouth.

She said: "It was a disaster, we should not be competing with the neighbouring major cities. If people go to Exeter instead, then you have lost their Christmas trade for good."

The late-night shopping switch to Thursdays had been controversial.

However, the date was changed after a vote by retailers at a meeting led by the Torbay Town Centres Company.

The company said all traders had been told about the event by email, by newsletter and at meetings.

And 15,000 leaflets had been printed promoting the change.

While Fridays had been 'ingrained' in shoppers' minds as the late-night shopping evening, Torbay Town Centres Company chief executive Lucy Ball has said the decision had been made after a meeting of the Retail Network Group said Fridays were 'traditionally useless'.

In November, she said: "We were hoping businesses themselves would do more to promote it, but if it's not working we'll have to think again — although it's hard to know what else we could do.

"I think Friday is ingrained in people's minds as being the late-night shopping night, but I'll be looking at the situation again and asking what more can be done."

However, at Laura Ashley, sale trade is proving exceptional with some real bargains to be had with 70 per cent off clothing, 60 per cent off some furniture and Christmas gifts now marked down to £5.

Equally staff at Hoopers all managed to brave the conditions to make sure the store stayed open.

Floor manager Clair Wills explained: "Most of our staff live locally so just about everyone was able to get in.

"And we opened on the first Sunday in January which was a first for us and it was quite a good day."

Friday seemed to be the worse day for shoppers making it out, described as 'dire'.

But by Saturday, with the sun shining, it seemed to bring people out to snap up the last of the sale bargains.

Clair said: "I think it had been so bitterly cold on Friday, it kept a lot of people in but, on Saturday, the sun was shining, people were going a bit stir crazy being inside and they were looking for a bit of retail therapy."

January is a strange time for retail, as store bosses try to predict the weather months ahead to establish what they put in their sales.

With previous winters being relatively mild, it was easy to pick up a coat at a much reduced price, maybe not now though.

Clair explained: "It has been difficult for retail over the years, with some of the sales starting in November. If there's a cold snap and you have reduced all your winter stock, you might be losing out.

"It can be a question of holding your nerve and trying to predict the weather, particularly after last year's cold snap after Christmas when many retailers could have lost out by selling off things like coats too early."

Meanwhile, the store is seeing the first of its new spring and summer collections being snapped up.

One shopper in the menswear department yesterday was buying shorts for a Caribbean holiday.

It's currently about half and half sale items and new stock, with some exciting new brands coming.

Already there is a selection of popular brand French Connection with Ted Baker due in store imminently.

Clair said: "French Connection is a great brand with lots of lovely colours like purples and turquoises and Ted Baker is on its way.

"Also for the first time we have Guess clothing. We have stocked their bags and accessories before but the company has had a relaunch of its clothing range.

"There is a new flagship store in Regent Street in London and we have lots of the same stock."

Meanwhile if you are after some serious bargains, the Torquay department store launched an extra 25 per cent off sale items yesterday. Already 50 per cent discount, a further 25 per cent is worth checking out.