THERE was little winter gloom on the High Street yesterday after traders reported strong seasonal sales.

After a difficult few months the big freeze brought a boost to outdoor retailer Blacks Leisure.

The group, which saw its share price plummet last year on the back of severe financial difficulties, said yesterday that it had benefited from Britain’s cold snap as it reported a hike in winter sales.

Blacks, which operates its own brand shops as well as the Millets chain, said it had seen a very strong Christmas trading period, with like-forlike sales in the six weeks to January 7 up 15.2 per cent on last year.

The chain said it had “significantly enhanced its recovery prospects” after a restructuring and the closure of 87 loss-making stores in the fourth quarter of last year.

The company operates ten Millets shops in the North- East and North Yorkshire, and seven Blacks Outdoor outlets in the region.

Christmas also brought cheer for department store chain House of Fraser, which revealed record seasonal trading yesterday.

The chain followed the lead of rivals such as John Lewis and Next by posting like-forlike sales growth of 7.1 per cent for the eight weeks to January 2, including its best ever Christmas week and a Boxing Day sales jump of 27 per cent.

It also hailed a 33 per cent rise in sales for its “House”

labels, such as Linea, Kenneth Cole, New & Lingwood, Howick and Episode.

Women’s fashion accessories were up 20 per cent and menswear up 12 per cent on a like-for-like basis, it added.

The Co-operative Group also had a good seasonal period with like-for-like sales rising five per cent after it launched a price-cutting salvo to compete with supermarket rivals. The UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, which now has 3,000 stores after buying Somerfield last year, unveiled a £200m package of cuts and promotions over the festive period, including its first triple dividend.

Retailer Poundland also saw its Christmas sales up by a third after it opened more stores.

The Willenhall, West Midlands- based firm plans to open a further eight stores before the end of March, creating 250 jobs.