Businesses in Charles Street, Milford Haven, have reported good sales over the festive period.

One of those retailers is The Original Factory Shop, which moved into the iconic former Woolworths building in Charles Street last summer.

The discount chain announced strong trading figures over the Christmas period with record sales of Wellington boots and advent calendars.

Milford store manager Richard Johns said: “We are delighted with the contribution the Milford Haven store made to the company’s trading over the Christmas period. “As a business, we were undoubtedly impacted by the severe weather conditions. However, the combination of our loyal customers still coming out to shop and our ever committed colleagues still coming to work meant that we were still able to deliver an excellent trading performance”.

Mr John said the shop saw particularly strong sales of gifts in the final week before Christmas as customers chose to shop locally for stocking fillers.

Lynne Turner, of giftware shop Snapdragon, and Skallywags, the children and babies clothing shop, also enjoyed busy trade during the recent bad spell of weather.

Lynne said: “I think the bad weather really helped independent retailers.

“It was a real boost as people were forced to shop locally and I think they were surprised by what they found when they did.”

She also confirmed Skallywags would be closing in the coming months but designer stock, school uniforms and baby basics that sold well will be stocked in Snapdragon.

Replacing Skallywags at 90 Charles Street will be Jelly Bean currently at 67 Charles Street.

Helen Lord, from the traditional sweets and toy store, is expanding her business and is looking forward to the move after an encouraging winter.

“We had a slow run up to the festive season but in December it just took off,” she added.

Helen said she is looking forward to extending her traditional confectionery collection and expanding her wooden toy selection to also cater for older children.