PUBS and clubs in Colchester have seen trade fall as people stayed at home in the big freeze.

Establishments saw fewer customers than normal, while one club lost an estimated £25,000 of business as clubbers stayed away.

The rise in cab fares has been cited as a key reason for people not venturing into town, with some companies charging additional fares because of the driving conditions.

Escape nightclub in Copford has lost an £25,000 worth of business as a result of the bad weather. In the run-up to Christmas, takings were down by £15,000 due to the icy conditions, while £10,000 was lost in the past week.

The club closed three hours early last Wednesday, after only 15 people turned up.

Damien Stone, manager of Escape, said: “Last Friday and Saturday, we saw a 50 per cent drop in the number of people.

“The prime reason is the cabs. They won’t go and collect customers down side streets and some cabs have started charging more.

“We still ran our free shuttle bus from town. That’s been a life-saver for us.”

Mr Stone said he was hoping the snow and ice will thaw and clubbers will return to his venue.

Pubs saw a slight decrease in the number of customers. The Fox and Fiddler, on St John’s Street, stayed open throughout the freeze, but the pub’s owner Jeff Wright, said takings were down.

He said: “Friday was quieter than normal. Saturday was better. People can only stay in for so long.”

Mr Wright also said the increase in cab fares had led to people staying away from town.

He added: “At the start of the bad weather, people were finding it difficult with buses and cabs.

“Cabs were charging time and a half, and that’s affected things.”

Twisters bar, on North Hill, saw a slow end to last week, with trade picking up by Saturday.

Joe Luther, manager of the bar, said: “It was quite quiet on Thursday and Friday.”

With business picking up by Saturday, Mr Luther said the novelty of the snow had worn off and people wanted to get back to normal.

He added: “People want to come out and have a good time.”