THE biggest snowfall in more than 15 years left many Bolton businesses closed and town centre stores deserted.

Six inches of overnight snow and arctic conditions brought the borough to a virtual standstill.

The weather left thousands of workers stranded at home with many others having to rely on badly- affected public transport.

In Bolton town centre yesterday, many stores remained closed and others brought down the shutters early to allow workers to get home.

In the Market Place, more than 15 stores were closed for business and the shopping centre was virtually deserted.

Stores like H&M, Zara, Oasis, H Samuels, Boots, River Island and Thomson travel agents were shut among others, although flagship store Debenhams remained open, but with only a sprinkling of customers.

In Crompton Place a few outlets, including Evans, Midas Jewellers and Blue Inc were also closed, but shoppers were few and far between.

Though many shops in the town centre were open, they were empty and the normally bustling HMV store remained closed.

A spokesman for G and J Seddons builders, in Plodder Lane, Farnworth, said around 25 per cent of its office staff had been unable to make it into work and the weather had severely disrupted building work at the company’s 50 sites around the North West.

At the huge Keoghs legal offices at The Parklands, Horwich, a recorded message told callers that, due to the extreme weather conditions, the building was closed and workers sent home yesterday afternoon.

Sharyn Lewis, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s local policy manager for Bolton, said: “The weather conditions have undoubtedly had a serious impact on large and small businesses across Bolton.

“Due to significant numbers of employees unable to get into work or arriving late, productivity will be affected and several working days lost could result in businesses losing millions of pounds.

“Where it’s possible, employers need to look at providing alternative working arrangements for their staff, such as equipping them with the means to work from home.”

Adam Buckley, head of programmes for The Manufacturing Institute, said: “Bolton’s manufacturing businesses, like their counterparts elsewhere in the region, are being hit hard by the bad weather, with staff unable to get into work and vital supplies and deliveries slowed and halted.

“This is causing major upheaval for many companies and their customers, and will certainly affect economic performance.

“We can only hope that conditions improve soon so that companies can catch up on lost production and deliveries and get back to business.

“The latest survey shows UK manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace in more than two years in December. We cannot afford for bad weather to jeopardise economic recovery.”

Supermarkets reported a surge in panic-buying as sales of salt, Wellington boots, flasks, take-away food, anti-freeze products, fire logs and thermal underwear had all seen big increases over the past two days.