TRADERS across the region have reported panic-buying of many items during the snow, with salt, shovels and sledges flying off the shelves.

Shop workers and delivery drivers had to brave the adverse weather conditions to keep their premises open.

Although it was ‘business as usual’ for most supermarkets in the area, many saw more than their usual level of activity as customers queued to keep themselves topped up with staple provisions such as bread and milk.

Some smaller stores, such as the Tesco Express in Winterbourne, temporarily rationed bread to two loaves per customer during the worst of the bad weather.

Even shops in outlying areas, such as Olveston Stores, have coped remarkably well with the conditions.

"Some deliveries were a bit slower than normal but otherwise everything was fine," said one store worker.

Katie Savage, who works at the Co-op in Berkeley, was one of those who witnessed panic-buying during the week.

"In the middle of last week we nearly ran out of everything, but by the end of the week we had bits and bobs left over," she said.

"Thankfully we were still getting deliveries. I think that people were coming here because they couldn’t get to the big shops. Hopefully they will carry on shopping locally."

Somerfield in Dursley also found that people were staying local, and although deliveries were still making it into town by Saturday afternoon the store had completely run out of vegetables, milk and bread.

A spokesman said that customer numbers seemed about normal, but that regular customers were buying extra supplies.

North Nibley Village Stores also had considerably more customers than they would normally expect, but as deliveries came in as usual every day except Wednesday, everyone was catered for – unless they wanted salt, which ran out early last week.

But food stores were not the only businesses to feel the impact of the severe winter weather, and some, such as Durkins hardware in Dursley, have had a business boost.

"Bad weather always does us a bit of good," said Phil Durkin.

"It’s the same in the summer when we have very hot weather and people want fans. We were lucky, because we had a delivery on Saturday, but things like snow shovels, socks and hats have been flying off the shelves.

"Obviously sledges were the first to sell out, but shovels and salt ran out pretty quickly too.

"Of course there is always an initial burst of activity in these emergency situations, but it’s calmed down now."

Unfortunately other firms have not felt the hidden benefits of the snow, as potential customers have stayed indoors, heeding advice not to make any non-essential journeys.

Bear Street Garage in Wotton-under-Edge has seen business tail off in the snow.

"It’s been pretty rubbish actually," said a spokesman. "People have not been able to get up here for their cars to be serviced, especially last Wednesday, which meant that business has been slow, with lots of cancellations.

"Business has picked up again a bit now, but people are holding off re-booking until they know just what the weather is doing."