It’s festive fun despite the cold
CHRISTMAS shoppers battled high winds, snow and freezing rain as
Storm Deirdre lashed the country during what has traditionally been one of the busiest weekends of the festive period.
The poor weather impacted the numbers of shoppers out on the streets, especially on Saturday, serving a costly blow to retailers on what should been a major pre-christmas shopping day.
Saturday footfall across UK high streets was down by 9.1 per cent by 3pm compared to the same time last year. Retail intelligence firm Springboard said this was because shoppers chose to stay at home and buy online instead.
However, Christmas spirits were still high despite the freezing weather in Glasgow, where large numbers still took to the streets.
The Christmas markets at St Enoch Square and George Square proved to be popular attractions for those who braved the chilly conditions.
The wintry conditions also caused havoc on the roads as rare freezing rain led to the rapid build-up of very slippery ice, posing a risk to drivers and pedestrians.
Police across the country were left dealing with numerous reports of collisions triggered by the conditions. Multiple crashes were reported between junctions 15 and 17 of the M74, the A84 was “impassable” in both directions north of Callander due to snowfall and between 16 to 19ins of snow fell in the Central Highlands, the Met Office said.
Meanwhile, wind speeds reached up to 73mph, the maximum recorded at Altnaharra in the Highlands. Thousands of homes across Scotland also lost power on Saturday. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it restored power to 15,000 homes in north Scotland. It was working yesterday to reconnect 1,900 homes.