PENARTH traders worked to ensure community services kept going during the snow as Storm Emma and ‘the Beast from the East’ struck last weekend.

Traditional competitors helped each other out with vital supplies, shopkeepers ferried staff in 4x4s and the local fire brigade helped transport vital medication from a pharmacy to a local resident.

Alison Jones, owner of The Crepe Escape, faced an early closure on Saturday, as her daily delivery of bread failed to materialise.

To the rescue came local café owner, Sian Fox of Foxy’s Deli’ who willingly shared her bread stock with Crepe Escape.

Ms Jones said: “We had customers coming in saying that Costa had no cake or milk and that Coffee One was closed.

“My staff were heroes – they worked so hard all day and even managed to get afternoon tea out for 25 people in the evening.”

Jane Soltys, owner and pharmacist at Washington Pharmacy, faced a desperate situation to supply vital medication to a customer, and was thankful to the emergency services for their support.

“I’d like to thank the crew of the fire engine I waved down and asked if they could get some urgent antibiotics delivered to an elderly gentleman who was unable to get out,” said Ms Soltys.

Mike Palmer-Evans, his wife Tricia and the team at Windsor Fruits made a special effort to ensure those in need got their five-a-day, making deliveries to care homes despite the treacherous conditions.

And even on her day off, local jewellery shop owner Anne Morgan was out with fellow parents on Sunday clearing the pavements outside Fairfield School to ensure that it was safe for children to attend the following day.

Justin Horton, chair of the Penarth Traders Forum and owner of independent children’s clothing store, Funky Monkey, said that Penarth’s community spirit had “shone through yet again”.

“Local businesses staffed by local people; the stories of people helping each other were really heart-warming,” she said.

“Snow presents an incredibly difficult challenge for small businesses. Most businesses will have seen income plummet dramatically in the last week.

“This can be devastating for any business, particularly in this already difficult economic climate.

“All of our town traders are so grateful for the support of local people.”