The ongoing icy conditions are putting hundreds of small firms at risk across the UK, business groups state. Around 800-900 small businesses were under threat as a result of the freezing weather.Cashflow dependant businesses, such as bars and restaurants, are suffering more than most, it said. The Federation of Small Businesses said members were "particularly hard-hit".The complete cost of this cold snap is currently undetermined, with many estimates significantly varying, with industry sectors such as leisure and retail losing days of profit that they will not get back.

The Federation of Small Business said it was "disappointed that we still haven't learnt the lessons from previous bad weather and that the country has yet again ground to a halt". However, it said small businesses were better prepared for this cold snap than those in previous years.