Business as usual at Landes du Marche

BUSINESSES along Landes du Marche remained open today after staff made it through the snow.

Checkers Express manager Chris Garnham, 21, said the shop had been experiencing a rush on essentials since the weather started closing in on Monday afternoon.

'It has been busy. We sold out of bread at 1pm on Monday and 11.30am today,' he said.

'People have been buying more than usual, they seem to be stocking up on bread, milk and red wine too.

'We have sold a lot of fuel as well, I am surprised at that.

'We opened on time today and will stay open all day.'

Stan Brouard commercial and transport manager Rodger Press, 65, said the store opened on time but business had been a little slow and it had to suspend deliveries.

'There have been about half a dozen customers, most of them have driven in. They are buying general things; we don't really cater for snow.

'It would be nice if someone bought a hot tub, but no one has offered. Most of our deliveries are up the top end of the island, but the vans might get stuck so we are not doing them today.

Hopefully be back to normal tomorrow.'

Country Butchers shop manager Darren Mescus, 43, opened the store as usual at 7am after walking in and said it had never been closed due to adverse conditions.

'Even when we had a power cut we were open,' he said.

'Only the neighbours have been in today, but we have catering work to do so are keeping busy. We have been selling a lot of winter warmers; stewing meat, chicken, minced beef.

'I think people are just coming out for a little walk and have time to cook their own meals.'

Melodonia shop assistant James Burton, 25, said even though not many customers had been into the shop, he had still been kept busy.

'We have had a steady stream of phone calls from people saying their Sky TV is not getting any signal.

'The advice is, if you can, safely brush the snow off the dish.

'We have been selling a lot of heaters the last few days as well.

'Crucially we managed to deliver the TVs for the Eisteddfod photography section on Monday afternoon.'