TOWN shop owners say it has been a tough festive period and they are losing out to cost-cutting super- markets and the failing economy.
Offers and initiatives, including the Frodsham Forward Reward card, were introduced to tempt customers into the town and help to beat the credit crunch.
John Bunting of Millmark Foods Main Street, which provides natural foods, remedies and treatments, said: “I think for some time there has been a drift away from Frodsham, which I attribute to the recession and the Tesco in Helsby.
“It’s understandable, people can only spend what they can afford.
“We have seen an increase because of the flu and viruses around.”
Suzanne Winfield, owner of Suzanne’s Ladies Fashion in Church Street, said: “We had a 20% off sale just before Christmas and now we are doing 25%.
“It’s the exchange rate that has made a big difference, if I buy things from Europe I am barely making any profit on them.”
However, Robert Crowther, manager of Devonshire Bakery, High Street, said: “All in all we were satisfied with the amount of business we have done.
“Regarding the reward card, it is all going in the right direction, the more people use it the better.”
