The first snow of 2013 falls on Norwich. A 4x4 makes drives up Heathside road in Thorpe Hamlet. Photo by Simon Finlay

Sledges in demand in shops across Norfolk

David Bale Tuesday, January 15, 2013
9:48 AM

Steve Kerrison, owner of Kerrisons Toys which has branches at Aylsham Road in Norwich and at King Street in Great Yarmouth, said he always stocked up on sledges during winter and had brought in three or four pallets – amounting to around 500 – to ensure the shops could cope with any rush.

He added: “We’ve sold a few today and a few yesterday. We tend to find nowadays the weather forecasts can be a bit exaggerated so people tend to wait until the snow is actually here. Being a normal school week, it might affect things, but if it’s still around at the weekend we will sell even more.”

Jo Mayhew at Thorns DIY on Exchange Street, Norwich said the firm had sold about 10 sledges on Friday and Saturday – as well as seeing an upsurge in enquiries for de-icer, snow shovels and rock salt – as customers prepared for the arrival of snow. “As soon as snow is forecast, we always see a big increase in sledge sales,” she said. “If you have not got one by the time the snow comes, then you could be too late. If there is a warning of snow, people tend to buy in advance and we do notice people enquiring for things like car scrapers, salt and snow shovels. We don’t mind the snow. It is one of those things that some people hate and some people love – but it is all good business for us, so bring it on!”