A COLD snap and early Christmas clearances meant sales over the festive period were better than expected in Bolton town centre.

But despite the late surge in festive spending, there was still some disappointment among retail chiefs, according to the town's business leaders.

Cathy Savage, Bolton's town centre manager, said a late pick-up did little to raise spirits among many shops.

She said: "Overall, performance for the period was poor. I know that some High Street names like Marks and Spencer did very well, but I also know that some did not do very well at all. In some respects, it just never seemed to get going.

"We have already seen names like Card Warehouse and Plumbs in trouble this year, and I would honestly expect other names to maybe disappear over the next 12 months."

Rod Neasham, manager of the Market Place, said there was a late rush in the two weeks over Christmas and New Year, but added the overall sense among retailers was one of relief rather than celebration.

He said: "There was certainly no bonanza. The weeks running up to Christmas were very slow indeed, but that final week of the year and early New Year were a lot busier than we expected.

"That said, retailers were relieved that it finally picked up. There are, however, no record-breaking celebrations." Mr Neasham said retailers in the shopping centre expected "some impact" from the refurbishment work which takes place this year, but were not unduly concerned.

Nationally, the British Retail Consortium has said that takings in December were up 2.5 per cent on Christmas 2005.

But while the crucial December sales were below the 2.6 per cent growth seen then, they were a "long way from the disaster predicted", according to BRC director general Kevin Hawkins.

Retail research group Footfall found that the number of shoppers visiting the High Street in the week before Christmas was down eight per cent, while the dip for the week after was 6.8 per cent.

John Lewis saw a 10.8 per cent rise in the five weeks to January 6, after three record weeks when sales exceeded £90 million.

House of Fraser reported a strong performance, with same-store sales rising 7.3 per cent in the four weeks to 30 December, compared with a year earlier.

Another key town centre indicator will come later this month when Whitakers owner Beale announces its full-year figures.