Traders in Bradford are experiencing one of the worst Christmases for years, it was claimed today.

The president of Bradford Chamber of Trade said traders were suffering across the board, from smaller shops to large businesses.

But some firms claimed to be doing well.

Chamber of Trade president Eric Hudson said: "I have had comments from numerous small retailers who have said that it's the slowest Christmas they have experienced. Everybody is finding it extremely difficult including the large chain stores, but it's easier for them to ride out the problem." Mr Hudson said he feared some of the smaller shops would be driven out of business as a result of poor takings over the festive period.

Meanwhile shop owners said they were having to put on special offers.

Brian Clark, who owns the Baycliffe and Lupton card shop in Bank Street, said that they had had to reduce prices to attract customers. "People are definitely going for the cheaper stuff this year," he said. "We are not taking the money like we did last year. It is busy although not as it should be."

Vicky Friar, operations manager at Sunwin House, said Christmas shopping had got off to a slow start. "Things are picking up now. People are getting a bit more festive and it's getting closer to Christmas. We've had a special offer on once a week when our savings stamps are worth double and on those days we have been very busy."

Jeff Frankel, chairman of the Bradford Retail Action Group (BRAG) who also owns two jewellers in the city centre, was hopeful trade would pick up. And some stores said the situation had improved on last year.

Craig Kimber, assistant manager at Waterstones in Bradford, said: "We're doing particularly well and we've been very busy. People are being more careful about what they're buying but they are still buying."

And Richard Maiden, deputy store manager at Curry's, said: "Last Christmas we had two stores and now we've moved into the new mega store at Forster Square Retail Park but business is still up from the two stores combined last year."

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